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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
John Wendell
Simmons, Jr.
August 5, 1930 – October 27, 2018
Obituary
John Wendell Simmons Jr., retired public relations executive, passed away October 27th, 2018. He was born on August 5th, 1930, and grew up in Edmond, Oklahoma. He graduated from Central State University (now University of Central Oklahoma) and did graduate work at OU and OSU.
He started working at Oklahoma Natural Gas in Tulsa as an editor in 1955 and spent his entire career there, retiring in 1986 as manager of publications. He was a member of the Public Relations Society of America, Tulsa Press Club and International Association of Business Communicators. He received the IABC, International "Chairman Award", highest recognition for service to the organization.
John was a member of Board of Directors of the Carson's Broadway Theater League; a member of the English-Speaking Union, where he served as president for two years; and a member of the Summit Club. He was president of his neighborhood association when he lived on Reservoir Hill. As a young man, John acted in Tulsa's long-running play, "The Drunkard." While in college he had his own radio program on two Oklahoma City stations.
John was honored by Central State University with the Broncho award, given to distinguished former students. He chaired CSU's Centennial Commission and the CSU Foundation Board of Trustees. He and his sister sponsored the Wendell and Pauline Simmons memorial scholarship in honor of their parents which helped many students with their education.
He also sponsored the annual Douglas A. Nelson Memorial organ concerts which brought famous organist to Tulsa to perform.
He has been a member of the Boston Avenue Methodist Church for more than 60 years.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Wendell and Pauline Simmons. He is survived by his sister, Polly Lynn Graham (Don); nephews Jeff Graham (Betsy) and Jim Graham (Tammy); his cousins, Lucy Tilly Hay and Jim Tilly (Robin); and many dear friends.
Funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Boston Avenue Methodist Church, with a reception to follow.
Moore Funeral Home - Rosewood Chapel (918)744-1202
He started working at Oklahoma Natural Gas in Tulsa as an editor in 1955 and spent his entire career there, retiring in 1986 as manager of publications. He was a member of the Public Relations Society of America, Tulsa Press Club and International Association of Business Communicators. He received the IABC, International "Chairman Award", highest recognition for service to the organization.
John was a member of Board of Directors of the Carson's Broadway Theater League; a member of the English-Speaking Union, where he served as president for two years; and a member of the Summit Club. He was president of his neighborhood association when he lived on Reservoir Hill. As a young man, John acted in Tulsa's long-running play, "The Drunkard." While in college he had his own radio program on two Oklahoma City stations.
John was honored by Central State University with the Broncho award, given to distinguished former students. He chaired CSU's Centennial Commission and the CSU Foundation Board of Trustees. He and his sister sponsored the Wendell and Pauline Simmons memorial scholarship in honor of their parents which helped many students with their education.
He also sponsored the annual Douglas A. Nelson Memorial organ concerts which brought famous organist to Tulsa to perform.
He has been a member of the Boston Avenue Methodist Church for more than 60 years.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Wendell and Pauline Simmons. He is survived by his sister, Polly Lynn Graham (Don); nephews Jeff Graham (Betsy) and Jim Graham (Tammy); his cousins, Lucy Tilly Hay and Jim Tilly (Robin); and many dear friends.
Funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Boston Avenue Methodist Church, with a reception to follow.
Moore Funeral Home - Rosewood Chapel (918)744-1202
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