Hollis "Tommy" T. Simmons

Hollis T. Simmons, born November 5, 1960 in Painesville, Ohio left this world on May 24, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. A good man, always willing to share a laugh, impart wisdom or lend an ear, Hollis gave of himself everyday. With so many friends spanning decades, his influence is felt on the lives of generations. He leaves behind his wife Lisa E. Wagner of Tucson, Arizona and son Michael W. Simmons of Pensacola, Florida. His siblings Linda McCormick of McMinnville, Tennessee, brothers Gary Setler and Doug Setler of Fairport, Ohio; Cathy Cantrell and Wayne Setler of Painesville, Ohio; Carin Hill of Medina, Ohio and Nancy Yates of Mentor, Ohio. Hollis (or Tommy as he was called by his family) was preceded in death by his mother Dorothy Setler and father Hollis T. Simmons, and his sister Rachel Sowell. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews throughout the country. His military career in the United States Air Force spanned 21 years, and all of those years were served in one location, Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. Clearly he was recognized as an irreplaceable asset, though Hollis would say, "Nobody else would take me." Hollis believed that a man's worth is defined through his work ethic. "The right way to do things right, is to do things right." He was mentored in construction after retiring from the Air Force, and opened Chevron Construction after becoming a licensed contractor. His customers over the years came to know his attention to detail, dedication to his craft, and commitment to completing each job beyond the expectation of his clients. Those who had the good fortune to learn from him have the opportunity to carry on his rare dedication to a job well done. On the Job training soon turned into classroom training, and Hollis became "Mr. Simmons" when he took over the JTED construction program at Catalina High School. His dedication never wavered when the finished product meant turning out a well rounded, highly trained, confident, and capable high school graduate. Like so many teachers today, when Mr. Simmons found that the school's funding was, "too low or too slow," he would pull from his own resources to make sure the program was to his standards. He truly cared for his students, and demonstrated his devotion by mentoring many of them long after graduation. Some had the privilege of knowing Hollis as a friend, as a mentor, a business partner and a real estate investor. Others knew him as an outdoors man, a soldier, a teacher, a contractor, or even just a drinking buddy, but only one knew him as "Dad." Hollis was a father figure many over his years, but father to only one -- his son Michael. As happens so often between parents and children, their relationship had more than it's fair share of turmoil, but as his abundance of longtime friends will attest, Hollis spoke often of Mike as his proudest moment, his highest achievement, and the greatest joy of his life. Hollis' wife Lisa, by his own words, has been his perfect match. Together almost a decade, married only recently, they enjoyed a special camaraderie -- a kinship so great that it was able to pull him from the depths of bachelorhood and into the bonds of Holy Matrimony. Our hearts go out to her and we would like to personally thank everyone for the support they have shown during this terrible time. It is a testament to the quality of people and the magnitude of friendships these two wonderful souls loved, enjoyed, inspired, bolstered, and revered. A bike run in his honor will be held Saturday June 10, starting at Territorial Bar Breakfast starting at 8am provided by Fernando's Kitchen Kick stands up at 10am ( everyone welcome) 1st stop Cowpony 2nd Franks Sports Bar 3rd Brings Chapel for the service: A Celebration of Life for Hollis with full military honors by the Davis Monthan Base Honor Guard will be held at 2:00 PM On Saturday June 10, 2017 at Bring's Broadway Chapel 6910 East Broadway Boulevard Tucson, Arizona 85710. A reception will follow immediately at Murphy's Public House 160 South Kolb Road Tucson, Arizona 85710. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Our Forgotten Warriors http://ourforgottenwarriors.org/ or to Youth On Their Own http://www.yoto.org