Frederic R. Simmons

Dr. Frederic R. Simmons, 86, of Sun City Center, passed away Monday, July 23, 2007, in Land O’ Lakes, FL after a lengthy illness. He was born on April 19, 1921 in Baltimore, MD, he graduated from Baltimore City College High School in 1940 and attended Loyola College in Baltimore, MD for three years before enlisting as an Aviation Cadet in the US Army Air Corp on February 23, 1943. During World War II, he flew in B-17's serving as a Bombardier-Navigator in the 15th Air Force Heavy Bomber Group on 49 missions totaling over 230 combat hours over enemy occupied Europe. His plane was shot down during a raid over the Battle of Budapest, Hungary, where he escaped from German occupied territory to the Russians. His decorations included the Purple Heaart and Air Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters. After his return from the war, he was discharged from the Army Air Corps and completed his college degree at Loyola College in 1946. He then attended the University of Maryland Medical School, graduating in 1950. He was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. He re-entered the Air Force on June 10, 1050, as a Medical Officer. On June 25, 1950, he married Vera Regina Caldwell in Baltimore, MD. Dr. Simmons completed his medical internship at Walter Reed Army Hospital in 1951 and completed his specialty residency in Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in 1952 and Baltimore City Hospital in 1953. He was certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in 1955. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force as a Major on October 5, 1956. He moved with his family to Daytona Beach, FL in October 1956 where he entered private practice as a pediatrician with McCall-Simmons Associates. His partnership with Dr. Joel McCall lasted until their retirements almost 30 years later. During his private Medical career, Dr. Simmons served on the Board of the Florida Pediatric Association and was a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and served as Chief of Pediatrics for Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach, FL for 7 years. He was an active member of Our Lady of Lourdes parish and St. Paul Parish in Daytona Beach, FL, prior to moving to Sun City Center, FL, in 2000. Fred was a devoted husband, and father who gladly served his family, community and country. He was a skilled physician for two generations of families and he was an avid reader, golfer and boater. He is survived by his wife of over 57, Vera; sons, Frederic R. Simmons, Jr. of Tampa, James W. Simmons of Grass Valley, CA, Joseph C. Simmons of Tampa, FL, Michael T. Simmons of Chesapeake, VA; daughters, Jeannie Wilson of Seagrove Beach, FL, Carol Simmons of San Francisco, CA; and 14 grandchildren. A Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church on Friday at 10:00AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Nature Coast Volunteers for Veteran, Inc., 2462 sunset Vista Drive, Aripeka, FL 34607.hn glover death datepsychology and lung cancer