Mr. Douglas Simmons of Jonesboro, Arkansas, departed this life on Thursday, August 18, 2016, at the age of 76. He was born February 24, 1940, in Swifton, the son of Herschel and Virginia (Hawkins) Simmons. Mr. Simmons was a United States Army veteran, who was a member of the 101st Airborn, and served during the Korea and Vietnam eras. He then worked for the Department of Defense, teaching English overseas, later returning to the states to work for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Ever the educator at heart, Mr. Simmons worked many years in the public school system as a School Administrator. Following his retirement from education, he learned to drive a truck, and followed the highway as a truck driver. He and his wife, Shirley, were members of the Walnut Street Baptist Church in Jonesboro. Mr. Simmons was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Shirley; a brother-in-law, Richard Roland; and his parents. He is survived by one son, Geoffrey Simmons and wife, Stefanie, of Ft. Worth, Texas, and his children, Victoria, Catie Beth, Isabella, and Benjamin; one daughter, Theresa Aasen and husband, Blair, of Bradford, Arkansas, and her children, Ian and Alyssa; two sisters, Phyllis Hire and husband, Don, of Poynette, Wisconsin, and Patricia Eickman and husband, Alan, of Rockford, Illinois; nieces and nephews, Paula Roland of Ft. Mojave, Arizona, Melissa Eickman of Rockford, Illinois, Dr. Carl Roland of Pittboro, North Carolina, and William Roland of Davis Junction, Illinois; one great-nephew, Connor Roland; one great-niece, Jessica Krabbe and husband, David, and their daughter, Myah. Friends may visit at the funeral home, Sunday, 3:00-5:00 p.m. Funeral services are 10:00 a.m. Monday at Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home Chapel with interment in Arnold Cemetery. Arrangements by Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home. www.jacksonsfh.com