James Bruce Simmons

Posted on February 21, 2018

James Bruce Simmons, 66, died Feb. 19, 2018, in Gainesville. James was born Sept. 22,1951, in Magee, Miss. to John August Simmons and Lauree Hinton Simmons.

Bruce was of the Methodist faith and was a member of Boyd New Life Methodist Church. Bruce worked as a mechanic with Buckeye Cellulose for 38 years, retiring in 2013. He had been a voluntary firefighter with Taylor County since 1974, and also, for brief time, was the director of the EMS for Doctors’ Memorial Hospital. Bruce, as a teenager, worked for Mr. Joe P. Burns at the funeral home, and quickly became lifelong friend of the Burns family. Bruce was a Master Mason, and a member of the Perry Shrine Club. He was also a member of Perry Elks Lodge. In his spare time he enjoyed riding his motorcycle, he liked to fellowship with his friends, and he loved to travel and tour unseen places. His most precious times was with his family.

Bruce was preceded in death by: his wife, Debbie, in 2013; and by his parents, John August and Lauree Hinton Simmons.

He is survived by: his children, Kelly (Lori) Simmons, and Angela (Stephen) Melnyk; his grandson, Tristan; a brother, John (Bobbie) Simmons; his niece, Lynn (Robert) Anderson; and nephew, Jon (Melissa) Simmons.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, Feb. 22, at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church of Perry with Pastor Wallace Holmes officiating. Interment services will follow immediately afterwards in Boyd Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. today (Wednesday) at Burns Funeral Home of Perry.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donation be made to the Shriner Hospital, c/o Temple Marzuq 1805 N. Monroe St., Tallahassee, Fla. 32303. All arrangements are under the direction of Burns Funeral Home of Perry.

Friends may sign the online guest book at www.joepburnsfuneralhomes.com