Simmie Ray Denmark

Posted on April 24, 2019

Simmie Ray Denmark passed away at his home on April 12, 2019, with his loving wife by his side. Mr. Denmark was born in Perry on February 20,1936, to Thomas Jasper (T.J.) and Willie Mae (Lane) Denmark. Simmie was a devoted husband, father, son and older brother to eight younger siblings. He took great pride in his family and his country, serving in the US Army both active duty and reserves.

Simmie was a motivated, self-made man who inherited his work ethic and interest in business from his father. He began his journey into the world of work as a mechanic’s apprentice in his teen years at his dad’s auto shop, Denmark’s Service Center. From there he went on to work for Triangle Construction and helped construct Buckeye Cellulose Mill. During his early days he also worked with Charlie Ware at Phillips 66. That mentorship, along with his early experiences with his father, led Simmie to open his own Chevron Service Station. His head for business was weighted with his sense of adventure. Simmie found this balance by attending FSU’s flight school and earning his pilot’s license. This passion led him to become a member of the Civil Air Patrol. Here he took on the responsibility of flying the sundown patrol every evening to scan the gulf for any signs of distress.

Years later, in 1964 Simmie moved his wife and children to Decatur, Ala., to work for Davis Construction building an addition to their Monsanto Plant. In ’77 he relocated to Nebraska City, Neb., to serve as a superintendant over another plant with Wallace Power. These stints with the various companies garnered the attention of General Electric who would often send Simmie on various assignments throughout the U.S. from North Dakota all the way down to New Orleans to realign operations. His ability to turn projects around landed him a promotion in 1980 when General Electric offered him the permanent position of Southeast Regional Manager. He served in this role for more than 21 years, overseeing 14 states and hundreds of employees.

At 60 years of age Simmie recognized the state of his aging parents and decided to retire and move back home to the town which had given him his roots and taught him the value of hard work. Though it was not quite the fast pace Simmie had grown accustomed to, he often said it was the best move he’d ever made. His retirement and journey home allowed him to spend the last years of his parents lives with them, something he was forever grateful for.

Simmie Ray Denmark is preceded in death by his parents T.J. and Willie Mae Denmark; a sister, Patsy (Denmark) Davis; a brother, Don Denmark; a brother Bruce Denmark; and a son, Charles Randall Denmark.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Melba (McNeese) Denmark; one son, Simmie Ray Denmark Jr. of Brunswick, Georgia; 2 brothers, E.L. Denmark of Tallahassee and Tommy Denmark of Perry; 3 sisters, Peggy York of Perry, Maxie Stout of Jacksonville and Robin Blue of Perry; 4 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.

No services are planned at this time.