1929
Philip
2013
Philip Ross Simmons
February 16, 1929 — December 11, 2013
Philip Ross Simmons
February 16, 1929 - December 11, 2013
Salem - Philip Ross Simmons passed away On December 11, 2013, after a 3-year battle with PSP, a neurological disease in the same category as Parkinson's and ALS. He was born February 16, 1929, and graduated from Silverton High School. When he met Vera Elvin, she became the love of his life. They married in 1948, had four sons - Steve, Ken, Brad & Spence - and remained devoted to each other through 65 years of marriage. Phil was preceded in death by brothers Robert, Ronald (Max), Clarence (Slim), and sister Ruth Schar. He was blessed to have 6 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Phil worked a few jobs until landing at Mountain Fir Lumber Company in Independence where he quickly became their Head Sawyer (many thought the best sawyer around). In 1959 the family moved to a 2-acre slice-of-heaven west of Salem where they led a self-sustaining life style - hunting, fishing, raising beef, chickens, goats (and other animals too numerous to mention) had a small orchard, a big garden, and bushels of tomatoes.
Phil was perpetually happy - never in a bad mood, handling any adversity without a single complaint. He was a kid at heart, unable to hide his enthusiasm for life, for food, wine, music, anything that made him happy (the list was long). You couldn't miss his presence in a room - his smile and his laugh lit the place up. You might be embarrassed when he struck up a conversation with the stranger next to you in a restaurant. But he wasn't. And his new friend nearly always loved it, and loved him for the experience.
Although social at heart, he also loved his time alone. With his pick-up, a sleeping bag, rifle, fishing pole, and bottle of wine, he would find his own nest somewhere in Eastern Oregon to enjoy the outdoors and his own company.
Phil was a voracious reader and deceptively intelligent, never bragged about it, just demonstrated it time and again. If he weighed in on an issue you could count on him being right.
There will be a "Celebration of Life" lunch buffet at the Orchard Heights Winery in West Salem. Friends and family are invited to join us Saturday, January 4 from 11-2. Everyone will be invited and encouraged to share memories of Phil at that time.
Phil was one-of-a-kind. His family and friends will miss him dearly. Arrangements by Restlawn Funeral Home. Memories and condolences at RestlawnFH.com.
February 16, 1929 - December 11, 2013
Salem - Philip Ross Simmons passed away On December 11, 2013, after a 3-year battle with PSP, a neurological disease in the same category as Parkinson's and ALS. He was born February 16, 1929, and graduated from Silverton High School. When he met Vera Elvin, she became the love of his life. They married in 1948, had four sons - Steve, Ken, Brad & Spence - and remained devoted to each other through 65 years of marriage. Phil was preceded in death by brothers Robert, Ronald (Max), Clarence (Slim), and sister Ruth Schar. He was blessed to have 6 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Phil worked a few jobs until landing at Mountain Fir Lumber Company in Independence where he quickly became their Head Sawyer (many thought the best sawyer around). In 1959 the family moved to a 2-acre slice-of-heaven west of Salem where they led a self-sustaining life style - hunting, fishing, raising beef, chickens, goats (and other animals too numerous to mention) had a small orchard, a big garden, and bushels of tomatoes.
Phil was perpetually happy - never in a bad mood, handling any adversity without a single complaint. He was a kid at heart, unable to hide his enthusiasm for life, for food, wine, music, anything that made him happy (the list was long). You couldn't miss his presence in a room - his smile and his laugh lit the place up. You might be embarrassed when he struck up a conversation with the stranger next to you in a restaurant. But he wasn't. And his new friend nearly always loved it, and loved him for the experience.
Although social at heart, he also loved his time alone. With his pick-up, a sleeping bag, rifle, fishing pole, and bottle of wine, he would find his own nest somewhere in Eastern Oregon to enjoy the outdoors and his own company.
Phil was a voracious reader and deceptively intelligent, never bragged about it, just demonstrated it time and again. If he weighed in on an issue you could count on him being right.
There will be a "Celebration of Life" lunch buffet at the Orchard Heights Winery in West Salem. Friends and family are invited to join us Saturday, January 4 from 11-2. Everyone will be invited and encouraged to share memories of Phil at that time.
Phil was one-of-a-kind. His family and friends will miss him dearly. Arrangements by Restlawn Funeral Home. Memories and condolences at RestlawnFH.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Philip Ross Simmons, please visit our flower store.
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