Quiet Joe and feisty Theoline Simms had their only child, George Allen Simms, after Joe got back from the war in 1947. George graduated from North Thurston High School, followed by various college courses in career training over the years. From eighth grade, he played rhythm guitar for his bands.
As a young dad, he was hired by the state Department of Transportation in 1965. Eventually, with seven kids to feed, he chose to leave the band days behind. From “sorting rocks” in the materials lab he worked his way to senior associate as environmental policy manager. From 1970 to 2015, George supplemented his income by hand-drafting house plans through his company, Deschutes Design. He went into private consulting upon retiring from DOT in 1992. Then, in 1996, he went into real estate. In 2000, George picked up playing his electric guitar again and led a music team with his wife, Diane.
George loved coaching and sponsoring kids sports, calm, one-on-one discussions, beautiful art, Mensa crosswords, the movie “Sandlot,” Mariners, Seahawks, McMenamins, Starbucks, creating spectacular landscaping, and summer days with the 3 Bs: barbecue, beer and baseball. He and Diane went on themed road trips like lighthouses and bridges. His favorite was the “got lost” trip.
Of each of his kids — Mike, Tim, John, Dennis, Carl, Dotsi, Stephanie, Shanna and Jeremiah — he would proudly say they grew into “independent, responsible adults.” He rocked 22 grandbabies and loved increasing numbers of great-grandkids. One tiny great-granddaughter, while watching Mary Poppins, pointed at the banker dad on the screen and said, “Papa George?”
At home in Rochester, when encouraged to make a bucket list in 2016, it remained empty. From “Jesus Calling,” one of his favorite devotionals, George reflected on the verse, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” George was confident that he did what he came to do and had no unfinished business.
flInstead of flowers, in memory of his beloved cat who thought she was a dog, please make donations to www.justcareanimalrescue.org at P.O. Box 2 Rochester, Washington, 98579.
