FRANKLIN—Marvin A. “Red” Simmons, 93, passed away peacefully on Nov. 11, 2014.

He was born in Martin County, North Carolina, and grew up in Hampton, Virginia, where he went to Hampton High School.

He was a son of the late John L. and Mary Barnhill Simmons, and was predeceased by three brothers and two sisters.

Red proudly served in the U.S. Navy in World War II and flew the Martin PBM Mariner Patrol Bomber.

He hunted, fished, golfed, and trained bird dogs and children for 50 years.

Red was a retired sales manager for Lone Star Industries, now Tarmac Inc.

He was cheerful in all weathers and never shirked a task.

Red was married to Martha Jane Deisher Simmons, who preceded him in death. They had four children, Al Simmons, Judy Simmons Sharpe (Don), Gale Simmons Tysor (deceased), Eva Simmons White (Robert); five grandchildren, Sarah Sharpe Flanagan (Brian), Laura Sharpe Sermon (Spence), Chris Howell (his friend, Angela), Maggie White Newsome (Tim), and Adam Tysor (fiancee, Amber Coponiti); two great-grandchildren, Gracin and Madelyn Sermon; and dear friend, Dot, and her family.

The memorial service to celebrate Red’s life will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16, in Wright Funeral Home, 206 W. 4th Ave., Franklin, with the Rev. Wayne Blythe officiating.

Red executed the document of anatomical gift of his body upon the time of his death.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org