Hulen Alfred "Al" Simmons Jr., 83, of Panama City, passed April 24, 2015. He was born May 2, 1931 in Caryville, Florida to Hulen Alfred Simmons Sr. and Jessie Jewell Simmons. He was a member of Northside Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He volunteered his time visiting nursing homes and veteran's centers. He was preceded in death by his parents; and daughter, Leah Simmons. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Eva Pelham Simmons; three children, Alan, Scott, Darrell Simmons; five grandchildren, Maddox, Hailey, Rachel, Kamryn, and Zoe Simmons; two sisters, Frankie McGrew and Phyllis Bucklew (Roger); and one brother, Jerry Simmons (Ruth). Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jerry Moore officiating. Interment will be held on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. in the Black Creek Cemetery in Freeport, Florida. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Moffitt Cancer Center, PO Box 23827, Tampa, Florida 33623-3827 or Baptist Health Foundation c/o Baptist Medical Center South, 841 Prudential Drive Suite 1300, Jacksonville, Florida 32207 in memory of Hulen A. Simmons.
Al and his wife Eva have been residents of Panama City for more than 47 years. He served in the Navy during the Korean War and retired from the Naval Surface Warfare Center as a defense contract negotiator. Al's first love was his enduring faith and trust in God followed by his love for Eva and his children. He was a known Bible scholar and has penned numerous Bible studies. Al was an accomplished musician, song writer and authored a book of poetry about his young adult life adventures in the northern Florida outdoors.