Dennis Colonel Simmons was born on January 24, 1948 in Roselle, New Jersey, son of Claudia Matthew Simmons and Leonard “Bud” Simmons.
Raised in Roselle, he was educated in the Roselle Public School System where he was a member of the varsity basketball team and graduated from Abraham Clark High School in 1966. Growing up his siblings and close friends often referred to him as “Bart.”
Upon graduation, Dennis entered the Army Branch of the United States Military, where he served in the Vietnam War. A member of the 101st Airborne Division Paratroopers, and a decorated war hero, he received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and Parachute Badge. As a paratrooper, Dennis completed over 172 jumps.
Dennis also received a Purple Heart after surviving a gunshot wound to the chest. The bullet struck just above his heart, but he survived because a Bible given to him by the Army Chaplain, placed in the chest pocket of his uniform, lessened the bullet’s impact. Although he no longer had the bullet, Dennis was always willing to lift up his shirt and show his scar.
Once the war ended, Dennis returned home to New Jersey where he met his wife of over 43 years, Valerie, while she was studying for her undergraduate degree at Rutgers College in New Brunswick. Their covenant marriage brought them two children, Joy and Jason. Everyone who knew him understood that his children were his pride and joy.
While living in Roselle, Dennis worked with his father at his establishment, “The Veteran Cleaners” before moving to Cliffwood, New Jersey, where he worked at Anchor Glass for 10 years. After leaving Anchor Glass, Dennis went on to work for the Matawan-Aberdeen Board of Education before retiring in 2012.
While working, Dennis was also a dedicated basketball coach for various leagues, building teams from kids in the community. His efforts led to several scholarship offers from colleges and universities across the nation for his son Jason and other team members.
In retirement, Dennis joined the Community Bible Fellowship Church, in Cliffwood, after meeting Senior Pastor Doug Crawley, who also served in the Vietnam War, at the annual church barbeque. Dennis served as a member of the men’s ministry and men’s choir and on occasion read the opening scripture to the congregation during Sunday morning services. He believed in the power of prayer and when presented with a problem would often say, “well…pray about it!”
Dennis loved being around his family, watching sports, spending time in Las Vegas, and being a Vet. He was affectionately known among his family members and kids in the community as “Uncle Dennis” and was especially close with Carl, Breanne, Chloe, DJ, Khalil, Shawn, Deanna, Sarita, Jerome, Kisha, Cheyanne, PD, Ace, and “his man Carter Water.”
Dennis was also especially fond of his cousin Stephanie Gibbs-Gray who went above and beyond as his primary care giver, taking special care of his health and well-being while he was undergoing dialysis treatment.
On Sunday July 7, 2024, in the presence of his family, Dennis Simmons was called home to be with the Lord. He will be remembered for his patience, compassion, kind heart, gentle spirit, infectious laughter, and reputation as the family’s uncontested, undisputed, and undeniable, O.G.
He was predeceased by his father, Leonard “Bud” Simmons; his mother, Claudia Simmons; brothers, Leonard Simmons, Jr., Gregory Simmons and Jeffrey Simmons; sister, Gloria Hunt; brothers-in-law Phil Ivey, Don Hunt, and Henry Hammond, Jr.; sister-in-law Pamela Hammond-Garth; and niece Roxanne Davis.
Dennis Simmons leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Valerie Simmons; one daughter, Joy (Marquis) Allen; one son, Jason Simmons; two sisters, Patricia (Jim) Laurel and Pamela Ivey; a brother, Zeno Simmons; two sisters-in-law, Kimberly Hammond-Howard and Tamala “Tammy” Hammond; a brother-in-law, Derek (Montashia) Weatherspoon; eight nieces, eight nephews, and a host of dear relatives and friends.
Lovingly submitted,
The Family
Mr Simmons will always remain in my mind as the type of father all children deserve. I remember him picking us up from school anytime Joy called and said we needed a ride anywhere. He was just always there, calm and cool and supportive. The characters of Joy and Jason is the evidence of a great mother and father. I am privileged to have that friendship for 34 years and I will always be grateful to him for his dedication as a father in raising wonderful children. May he now reap his reward with the Lord.
Rest Easy, Cuz you earned God’s Love, Gary Givens and Family