JOHN FREDERICK SIMMONS, JR.

John Frederick Simmons, Jr., born in Birmingham, AL on March 30, 1936, passed away February 14, 2010 in Panama City, FL. He was the son of the late Fay Cannon and John F. Simmons, Sr. He was predeceased by his son John F. Simmons, III, also. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Annie Marie Kilgore Simmons, three daughters, Anne Graves, Lynne Aldridge, and Aline Jackson, grandchildren Leah Auchmuty, Matt Thomas, April Stringer, Tracy Green, and Casey Aldridge, and five great-grandchildren.

Mr. Simmons attended Edgewood Elementary School and graduated from Phillips High School. He was the founder of SECO Equipment Company, Inc. in Birmingham, AL. He enjoyed the friendship and respect of his peers in the automotive high performance industry. He served several terms as area director of Performance Warehouse Association and then as National Director. He served two terms on the board of SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association. In 1980, he was named SEMA Person of the Year and in 2004, he was inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame. He leaves many wonderful memories and many friends from coast to coast.

Visitation will be Thursday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 at Ridout's Elmwood Chapel in Birmingham, AL. The funeral service will be at 1:00 pm on Friday, also at Ridout's Elmwood Chapel with Dr. Dennis Foust from Shades Crest Baptist Church officiating. Pallbearers for the service are his two sons-in-law, Stan Aldridge and Stan Graves, his friend and long-time co-worker Oliver Williams, and his friends Rick Rollins, Scott Feenstra, and Glen Campbell. Honorary Pallbearers are R. J. Fritz, Donald Stewart, Lawrence Kilgore, Harry Roberts, and Ralph Accino. Burial will follow the service at Elmwood Cemetery.

Wilson Funeral Home