Michael Earl Simmons was born March 17, 1954 and died March 24, 2021 after a full and adventurous life. Michael is preceded in death by his parents, mother Billie Ruth Parrish Duke Simmons, father Louis Ridley Simmons, and brother Aubrey Lee “Buddy” Simmons. He is survived by his children, Anthony Scott (Marcelle) Simmons, Amanda Leigh Ung, and Adam Buchannan (Amy) Simmons, his grandchildren Hailey Michelle Ung, Blake Alexander (Emma) Simmons, Payton Buchannon Simmons, sisters Dianne D (Jimmy) Knight, Susan Elaine (Claude) McGinnis, 7 nieces and nephews, 11 great nieces and nephews, 6 great great nieces and nephews, 2 aunts and uncles, and cousins he thought of as brothers and sisters. As a youngster, Michael loved mowing lawns with his grandparents for fun and for a little bit of spending money. In his teenage years, he enjoyed ice skating and playing basketball with his brother Buddy (Aubrey) and cousins Robin Little and Deborah Grisham, and playing ice hockey. He also worked with his uncle learning masonry and the art of laying brick and block. In High School, he worked for Kuhn’s Big K and even ice skated to work once, down Myatt Drive, during the snow and ice storm of 1971. From there, he learned and mastered many trades. Michael worked as a maintenance manager for a chemical company, cleaning and maintaining giant chemical storage tanks around the country. He worked as a general contractor, property maintenance manager, maintenance and appliance repair technician, drove a concrete truck, and poured concrete. While Michael was a true jack-of-all-trades, his favorite job was an over-the-road semi-truck driver, where he traveled across America until retirement. He loved fishing, spending time with his children, and spoiling his grandchildren who were his world. He was so proud of his children and grandchildren and their amazing accomplishments. He also got a kick out of the fact that children mistook him for Santa Claus and always made sure to tell them to be good. He was loved by many and will be missed by all. Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN, 615.444.9393.
