Terry Lynn “Tar Baby” Simmons

Terry Lynn “Tar Baby” Simmons, 60, of Collins, passed away on Tuesday, April 9, 2019, at Citizens Memorial Hospital, Bolivar, surrounded by loved ones after a short illness. He was born in Vernon County, Nevada, to Earl Harold Simmons and Naomi June “Sug” Simmons on May 24, 1958.

Terry attended school in El Dorado Springs and graduated in 1976. Terry worked as a concrete finisher and musician.

Terry married Jeanie Hopkins May 27, 2006. They made their home in Collins. Terry enjoyed playing and coaching softball and was avid fisherman and hunter.

Terry was a rare combination of someone who had a love of life and firm understanding of the simplicity of living a life with those you love. Terry’s passion for family and music was undeniable. He would play for benefits or individuals at the drop of a hat knowing it would be for a good cause, and it showed as he played for numerous MDA benefits and fundraisers for friends and family.

His favorite type of fishing was running trot lines to catch large catfish so that he and his fishing buddies could fry up 60-100 lbs of catfish for a fish fry for friends and family. It would not be surprising to see a hundred people show up to eat fish and play live music to all hours of the night!

Terry played country music with multiple bands since the 1970’s, including the County Liners, Country Clover, Rekoil, Distant Kin and others with many friends and family. Terry was very proud when he competed in the 1985 Marlboro Country Music Show Down and made it to the semi-finals for the opening act of George Strait. It was an eventful day competing with great bands such as the Garth Brooks band.

In 2012, daughter, Kimberly Dill, and son–in-law, Jamie Holdren, wanted to start a band with Terry, so they got together and decided they wanted to play “blues”. They formed a band called “Sister Lucille” and performed at such places like Knuckleheads in Kansas City and festivals in Branson among other places.

The one he was most proud of was the International Blues Competitions that took place in Memphis, TN, where they were in the top 48 bands in the world by advancing to the semi-finals. He retired from playing music in May 2018 in order to spend more time with family.

Terry enjoyed playing softball and was an avid fisherman and hunter. His favorite time of the year was turkey and deer season. He loved fish-frys, hunting mushrooms, gardening (salsa) and horseback riding, especially his horse, Cowboy.

He had a passion for music. Most bands consisted of close friends or family. Terry loved watching his kids play sports. Most of all, he loved watching his grandkids play ball, taking them hunting, trips to the creek and playing guitar and singing with them.

The most important thing to Terry was family. He loved his wife, siblings, children, and grandchildren. Terry was a loving husband, father and grandpa. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Surviving him are his wife, Jeanie, of the home; two sons, Waylon Simmons and wife, Cindy, of Layton, UT, Randy Simmons and wife, Mandy, of El Dorado Springs; two daughters, Ashley Todd and husband, Tony, of El Dorado Springs, and Kimberly Dill and husband, Jamie, of Clever; eight grandchildren – Byron, Parker, Breklyn, Tristyn, Ryder, Jaxen, Kole and Alex; two brothers, Harold Ray Simmons and wife, Traci, and Ronnie Simmons and wife, Sherri; two sisters, Connie Esry and husband, Kent, and Carla Luther and husband, Bill, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Services were held Saturday, April 13, in Sheldon Funeral Home, El Dorado Springs, with Roger Beach officiating. Music was “When We Were Young” and “Cowboy Rides Away.”

Final disposition – cremation under direction of Sheldon Funeral Home, El Dorado Springs. www.sheldonfh.com

Memorial donations can be made to El Dorado Springs Athletic Booster Club or the St. Clair County Saddle Club in care of Sheldon Funeral Home, P.O. Box 408 – El Dorado Springs, MO. 64744.