"Simmons, Charles Charles Simmons Charles Edward Phillip Simmons On March 11, 1931, Charles Edward Phillip Simmons was delivered in Boston to this earthly life, from thence he proceeded to spread joy, amusement, consternation, and general amazement wherever he appeared. Because his father, Charles Leonard Simmons, died when Charles was just a lad, and his mother, Constance Isabel Simmons, married several times more, he was educated in various parts of the United States and Canada. Joining the U. S Army at age 17 after graduating from John Oliver High School in Vancouver, British Columbia, he was trained as a medical technician and shipped to Japan, where he served for over a year before the war in Korea broke out. He served in Korea at a MASH hospital until his return to the States in 1953. He then entered the Seminary, intending to become a Roman Catholic priest, but due to the onset of tuberculosis which he had apparently incurred in Korea, he spent several years in various sanitariums and hospitals. Happily, he recovered from this dreaded malady, at which juncture; he decided to enter the academic life. Charles received his BA from Seattle University in 1960, as well as an MA from Drake University the same year. He earned his PhD in South American Religion in 1965 from Washington State University, did post doctoral studies at Dalhousie in Canada, and then began a long and distinguished career in Academe. He served as a Professor of History at The University of Idaho, the History Department Chair at Bradley, Dean of the Faculty at the University of Minnesota, Vice President at Evansville University, and President of Lake Erie College in Ohio. During his career, he had many honors bestowed upon him, and served in many distinguished posts, such as Chairman of the Colleges Energy Commission where he served as an advisor to Congressional Committees and as Architect for U. S. academic branches in England. These offices required a good bit of travel in Europe Mexico, and South America. In 1984 after seven years as a college president, he left the administrative field and served for a year as a consultant to Colleges in various administrative matters. At that point in his career, he returned to his first successful venture...that of teaching history. Beginning in 1985, and continuing until his retirement in 1997, he taught American History, Government, and several other courses as a Professor at Midland College. Known for his absolute unacceptance of shoddy work, he was avoided by lazy students, heartily accepted by bright ones, and proved over and over that learning history could be fun. A human dynamo, he moved constantly as he taught, and with his incredibly sharp mind, and prodigious memory, he became a challenge to all around him. As testimony to the excellence of his teaching, he received the Best Professor award at Midland College and was named a Minnie Piper Stevens recipient as one of the finest college Professors in Texas. In 1988 Charles was named a Kellogg Foundation Fellow and through that group became a mentor for aspiring young academicians. He married Margaret Lawrence Bowers in 1985 and together they pursued their common loves of family, friends, cooking, and traveling. Wherever they went, there was laughter, for the joy Charles generated was ever present and their happiness was contagious. In Midland, Charles served on the board of Casa De Amigos for many years, volunteered at the Soup Kitchen, the Midland Hospice, substituted at Meals on Wheels, and was a faithful member of The Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity, where he was a Layreader. He is survived by his wife, Peggy; seven children, Andrea Lynn Hinz and her husband Andre', Alexia Marie Robinson and her husband Brian, Suzanne Lawrence Isaack and her husband Steven, Margaret Katharine Erfle and her husband Richard, Carole Elizabeth Bugge', Damon Gerard Simmons and his wife Jayse, and Paul Rudolph Bowers. He is also survived by three sisters, Leslie Paris and her husband Jim, Patricia Cecchetti and her husband Luigi, Larrie Ridell; nine grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. It has been said that a few souls on this earth are unique. Certainly God lost the pattern after He made Charles Simmons. Memorial services have been scheduled for 2:00 P.M. Monday, August 10, 2009 at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity. Memorial gifts may be made to the Simmons Scholarship Fund at Trinity School, 3500 West Wadley, Midland, Texas 79701, or the Simmons Scholarship Fund at Midland College, 3600 North Garfield, Midland, Texas 79705. Arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home."