John Thomas Simmons Jr

John Thomas Simmons Jr., better known as Jerry, was the first-born child of the late John Thomas Simmons and Hattie Mae Douglas. He was born on December 30, 1949, in Memphis, TN. John departed this life peacefully on Sunday, February 28, 2021, in Corona, CA. John was raised in the Binghampton community of Memphis, TN, where he attended Lester Elementary. He then went on to graduate in the Class of 1967 from Lester High School. John accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of the Rock of Ages Church. His dream was to be a police officer and was admitted to the Memphis Training Academy, where he trained German Shepherds for police work. John left Memphis seeking a better life and moved to California to be with his brother Charles and friend Curtis a.k.a. "Big Soul." Before leaving Memphis, he met his children's mother, Joyce, and she gave birth to their son, Jasper Simmons. While in California, they became married, and Joyce gave birth to their daughter, Jonica Simmons. The family made their first home in Pasadena, CA, where John began working for General Telephone Electronics (GTE) in 1977. He was a hard worker and always provided for his family. John had a zest for life; he was a loving son, brother, father, grandfather, and a wonderful uncle to his niece, Trina Simmons, and his nephew, Michael Simmons. In 1998, while both were working at GTE/Verizon, John started dating Traci Finley. They fell in love and were married on July 13, 2001. Although they did not have any children together, John happily accepted the role of being a bonus dad to Traci's three daughters, Jonaya, Jen, and Briana Brazil. John and Traci made their home in the San Fernando Valley in CA. In 2012, John retired from Verizon after being with the company for 35 years. In 2019, John and Traci decided to move to Corona, CA, closer to his mother, Hattie Hall, brother Charles Simmons and Traci's sister, Renita Lewis. John leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife Traci Finley-Simmons of 20 years, his five loving children, Jasper Simmons, Jonica Simmons, Jonaya, Jen, and Briana Brazil. His four precious grandchildren, Loriah and Jonyla Simmons, Zaria Holmes, and Nehemiah King. His mother, Hattie Hall, his three brothers Charles Simmons, Marlon Buddy Cruchfield, and Darryl Simmons of Memphis, TN, his nieces, nephews, cousins, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and a host of other family members and friends. Service Thomas Miller Mortuary 1118 East Sixth Street Corona, CA 92879 (951) 737-3244 | Wednesday 3/24, 10:00 am