Dr. Noah Gayle Simmons

Dr. Gayle Simmons, 92, of Farmington, formerly of Desloge, passed away January 19, 2015, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born October, 22, 1922 in Columbia to the late Elijah T. and Sally Dimple (Pogue) Simmons. Dr. Simmons graduated from Fredericktown High School in 1941 and then served 37 months in the Army Air Force during WWII. He then graduated from Flat River Junior College in 1946 and then graduated magna cum laude from SEMO State College in 1948. Dr. Simmons then went on to earn his Master's and Doctorate Degrees from Washington University. His post-Doctoral study was completed at Michigan State University and University of Florida. Dr. Simmons was a Teacher, Guidance Director, Principal and Asst. Superintendent at Mehlville High School and then served as Dean of Flat River Junior College, 1956-1962. He then became an Associate Professor of Education and Psychology at Oklahoma State University; Associate Professor of Education at Northwest MO State College; Dean for 24 years, Academic Vice-President, and Executive Vice-President of Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC. Dr. Simmons retired from fulltime work in 1988 and then served as Adjunct Associate Professor at Colleges and Universities such as Washington University, SEMO State College, University of Missouri, and Appalachian State University in NC. His miscellaneous achievements include; served for 20 years as faculty member and board member of Shepherd's Centers, received the Outstanding Educational Achievement Award from SEMO State University Alumni Association in 1978, the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Missouri Community College Association and Mineral Area College in 2004, the "N. Gayle Simmons Career Center" was named in his honor on the main campus of Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, NC in 1997, board member of the Mineral Area College Foundation since 1999, active in the Phi Delta Kappa international education fraternity for more than 50 years, founder and first president of the Charlotte, NC Chapter, founder and first president of the Mineral Area Chapter and served for 6 years as fraternity coordinator in Western NC. Dr. Simmons was also a member of First United Methodist Church of Park Hills. He is preceded in death by his parents; loving wife, Rowena (Brown) Simmons; and one sister, Maxine R. Simmons. Dr. Simmons is survived by his daughter, Canda (Mrs. David) Rozier of Littleton, CO; one grandson, Ian Rozier of Golden, CO; two sisters, Marlene King of Park Hills and Loretta "Gerry" (Mrs. Dale) Smith of Farmington. Visitation will be held at C.Z. Boyer and Son Funeral Home in Desloge, Sunday, January 25, 2015 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The service will be held in the C.Z. Boyer and Son Chapel, Monday, January 26, 2015 at 10:00 AM with Rev. Eddie Bone officiating. Interment will follow at Hillview Memorial Gardens in Farmington. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Mineral Area College Foundation, PO Box 1000, Park Hills, MO 63601.