On Dec. 25, 2024, Richard “Dick” Simmons, 85, passed away at Swedish Hospital in Seattle with family members at his side following a brief hospitalization.

Dick was born on Aug. 3, 1939 to Richard and Ruth (Norton) Simmons at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Aberdeen, Washington. He graduated from Hoquiam High School and married his first love,Vicky Bacon, who preceded him in death in 1985. He was proud to follow his father into a career in law enforcement, serving as a Grays Harbor County Deputy Sheriff from 1962-1974. The couple also owned Grays Harbor Boat Builders for several years and Dick was honored to have a boat commissioned by the United States Atomic Energy Commission. Dick and Vicky had two children, Richard Jr. and Tracey.

In 1987 Dick married Diane Johnstone, and the couple began their journey of 37 years together. They moved to Ketchikan, Alaska, where Dick worked as a mechanic and truck driver for Zeman Logging and later a tour guide; he was a gifted story-teller, and enjoyed sharing the history of Ketchikan with tourists. After a decade in Alaska, the couple returned to Washington state, settling in Grand Mound. Dick and Diane loved camping and traveling to gun shows in their RV (sometimes accompanied by their kids and grandkids, whom they doted on.)

Dick was an avid outdoorsman who was passionate about hunting, fishing and collecting guns. But his greatest love was his family, and there was nothing he enjoyed more than to recount the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren, whether in school, on the ski slopes, or in the wilderness hiking, hunting or fishing.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Ruth Simmons, two sisters, Meredith Williamson and Nancy Friend, brother Patrick Simmons, and first wife Vicky (Bacon) Simmons. He is survived by his wife Diane Simmons; two children, Richard “Dick” Simmons Jr. and his wife Kelly, and Tracey (Simmons) Cumming; four stepchildren: Nancy Roberts and her husband Chris, Jill Alviar, James Alviar and his wife Kathleen, and Danny Alviar and his wife Stephinie. Additionally, Dick leaves behind several beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, and many, many good friends.

A celebration of life for Dick will take place in April (details TBD) and his ashes scattered in Ketchikan, Alaska.