Grant Simmons, 89, of Marianna Florida died peacefully in his sleep on March 31, 2012
in Bonifay, Florida. Grant was born on March 3, 1923 in Wausau, Florida to Fannie and
Robert Eldon Simmons. The seventh of eight siblings, Grant married the love of his life,
Sarah Ross, in 1946. After graduating with a Master's degree in Education from the
University of Florida, Grant went on to become the first principal at the inaugural Metcalf
Elementary School in Gainesville, Florida. He then went on to teach middle school math
in Ft. Lauderdale before retiring to Marianna in 1987. Grant loved food, loved to eat and
especially loved his morning routine of meeting with friends at Hardee's, eating sausage
biscuits and drinking coffee. Marianna proved an excellent place for another of Grant's
favorite activities -- fishing. He loved life on Merritt's Mill Pond, loved his little fishing
boat and the friends he made in Marianna. Grant was a somewhat stubborn man (or as
he liked to say, "hardheaded"), but had a very good sense of humor and those who
knew him would wholeheartedly agree that he never met a stranger he didn't like.
Grocery store shopping was a favorite activity for him: he loved to shop, compare prices
and, of course, visit with his pals who worked in the various grocery store sections!
Grant was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving his country before attending
college. A charter member of the Gator Alumni, he was also a member of the Woodmen of The World as well as the Wausau Methodist Church. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Sarah and is survived by his loving
son, Al Simmons of Bonifay, beloved granddaughter, Lisa Simmons and greatgrandson,
Levon Moses Midwood, both of Austin, Texas. Grant Simmons was a fine
man. May God bless him and keep him. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. at the graveside in Bonifay with the Rev. Dalton Ott officiating.