Thomas Nelson Simons

 Thomas Nelson Simons was born in Sikes, Louisiana on November 2, 1938 to the union of his parents, Norvel Simons and Edna James Simons and passed from this life, October 29, 2024 peacefully at his residence surrounded by his loved ones. 

Tommy retired from GTE and happily moved home to Columbia, Louisiana to be closer to family and to enjoy his love of hunting, fishing, golf and his love of the outdoors. He was a proud member of the Price Landing Hunting Club where you could often find him surrounded by close friends laughing, playing dominos and watching football. Tommy took great joy playing with his grandchildren and his stories of taking them “snipe” hunting or teaching them “to feed the claw” are legendary. Nothing was more important to Tommy than spending time with his family. He and his high school sweetheart and first wife, Beatrice Manly, raised both their daughters doing more fishing, motor bike riding, shrimping or playing basketball in the driveway than at the mall. Tommy was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter Tania McGrath; son-n-law Bill McGrath and his brother-in-law, Danny Finley. Those left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 38 years, Karen Simons; daughter, Michelle Van Winkle (Andrew); step-sons, Laurie Stewart (Julie) and John Mark Stewart (Deanna); brother, Charlie Simons (Martha Lou); sisters, Hazel Derickson (Bert), from North Little Rock, Arkansas, Linda Martin (Sidney); Karen Finley; grandchildren, Erin Holt, Christopher McGrath, Carson Van Winkle, Payton Van Winkle, Perry Stewart, Emma Stewart, John Stewart, Hannah Stewart; great-grandchildren, Kaylin Lewis, Connor Holt; as well as a host of family and friends.

  Tommy chose cremation and a celebration of life event date will follow in the coming weeks. Please remember his family in your prayers.