Jack Simmonds

Jack was born in Tooele, Utah to John and Sarah Simmonds on June 21, 1918. He passed away peacefully on November 29, 2008 after spending a quiet day in the company of his beloved wife. Jack was an all around athlete as well as an accomplished tennis player who won the Davis County Tennis Singles Championship in 1951 and 1952. He was also the state high school Quarter Mile Champion. Yet, for all of his athletic abilities, Jack always joked that he never learned how to swim. He said he dived like a feather and swam like a rock. Jack met and married Connie Johnson, the sweetheart of his life, and was happily married for the last 63 years. He served in the United States Army from 1940-1945 and was stationed in Seattle, Washington as an anti-aircraft gun commander. He received an honorable discharge from the Army with a rank of Captain. Jack attended Utah State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Physiology and a Master’s degree in Physical Education. He was a teacher and coach for 40 years. He started his career at Bear River High School and finished the last 38 years at Bountiful Jr. High School. Jack was a very successful and accomplished coach. His basketball teams can boast of having only two losing seasons in 38 years. Jack enjoyed coaching the kids at the Jr. High grade level and refused offers to coach at the high school and college levels. Many former students have expressed countless times throughout the years how much Jack meant to them as a teacher and coach – – and how much he positively influenced their lives. The family appreciates their heart-felt comments. After his retirement from teaching, Jack continued to enjoy an active lifestyle. He and his wife Connie were involved in breeding and showing dachshunds. Throughout this time Jack served as a ring steward at community and regional AKC dog shows while Connie worked as an AKC Judge. Jack was also well known throughout his lifetime as a person who gave back to the community. For many years he volunteered at the Senior Citizen’s Golden Years Center in Bountiful and delivered meals-on-wheels to home-bound seniors. He and his wife also hosted the Seniors Fun Bus to Wendover. Jack was always known to everyone as &qoute;Coach&qoute;. He was a large man with a large heart and will affectionately be remembered as &qoute;High Pockets&qoute;. He truly was a great example for us all. Jack was a wonderful man, a wonderful father and a wonderful husband. He was well-liked , well-respected, and well-loved – he will be sorely missed. Jack is survived by his loving wife, Connie; daughter, Cathy Browne Scott; sons, Rick Launee, and John Sharrae; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. A celebration of Jack’s life will be held as an open house on Saturday, December 6, 2008 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah. Private family services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Humane Society of Utah would be appreciated.