Seymour Simmons, Jr., former president, CEO and board chair of Miller International, Inc., passed away Oct. 6, 2013, in Cleveland, Ohio. Rabbis Joe Black and Steven Foster and Cantor Regina Heit officiated at the Oct. 11 service held at Temple Emanuel.
Interment followed at Emanuel Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
Seymour enjoyed a long, full and productive live, the family said. He became a leader in the Jewish and business communities.
Mr. Simmons was born Aug. 15, 1920, in Greenville, Miss., to Caroline (Sternberger) and Seymour Simmons, Sr.
He was president and valedictorian of his 1938 graduating class at Greenville High School. He also set a state track record for the quarter-mile that was unbeaten for several decades.
President of the College of Commerce senior class, president of ZBT and speaker pro-tem of the Student Senate at Louisiana State University, Mr. Simmons earned a BS in 1942.
A captain in the US Army Air Force, 1942-46, he then served as a major in the US Air force Reserve, 1946-1955.
While visiting relatives in Denver as a teenager, he met his future wife Betty Jane Block. They were married on Jan. 24, 1943. Mrs. Simmons passed away on Oct. 1, 2011.
Mr. Simmons moved to Denver after WW II.
Initially a CPA with Fox, Samelson & Co., he joined Miller International, Inc., in 1951 as a controller and rose through the ranks to become president (1979) and chairman of the board (1989). He retired in 1999.
Mr. Simmons was president of Temple Emanuel; president, Denver Rotary; chair, Colorado Assn. of Commerce and Industry; president, Denver and Colorado Retail Associations; and vice president, National Retail Assn.
He and his wife had a large circle of friends in Denver with whom they traveled, danced, sang and played bridge.
Mr. Simmons is survived by his children Seymour (Martine) Simmons III of Rockville, SC, and Beverly (Ross. W. Duffin) Simmons of Shaker Heights, Ohio; grandchildren David (Joanna Huey) Simmons-Duffin, Selena (Sarah Davidson Ladly) Simmons-Duffin, Arielle Simmons and Jonah Simmons.
Contributions may be made to the Denver Rotary Club Foundation, 1900 Grant St., #850, Denver, CO 80203.
Copyright © 2013 by the Intermountain Jewish News
