JAMES DOUGLAS "DOUG" SIMMONS, age 61, a resident of Charleston, died at 8:15 a.m. Friday, September 3, 2010, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born December 2, 1948, in Cairo, IL and had lived in Charleston his entire life. After graduating from St. Henry Catholic High School in 1967, he entered the Marine Corps and served his country in Vietnam. Following his discharge from the Marine Corps, he graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a degree in Horticulture. He has been owner and operator of Simmons Hometown Nursery in Charleston since 1975. A member of St. Henry Catholic Church, he was an active member of his parish and member of the choir. Doug was a 4th Degree Grand Knight and lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a fun-loving man who enjoyed playing golf and making his "Better than Vinegar" homemade wine. He will be sadly missed by both family and friends.

Surviving are his fianceé Mary Kay Smith of Charleston; his children Luke (Lindsey) Simmons of Ft. Thomas, Kentucky, and Amy (Neal) Thompson of Hartsburg; one granddaughter, Olivia Rose Thompson (born August, 15, 2010) of Hartsburg; his mother and stepfather Mabel and Glen Tenkhoff of Oran; one sister Sharon (Chris) Naas of Bardwell, Kentucky.

He is also survived by his stepmother Joy Jean Simmons of Commerce; brothers, James D. (Mary) Simmons II of Benton, Norman (Dawn) Sander of Oahu, HI, Mark (Brenda) Sander of New Hamburg, Keith (Pam) Sander of Cape Girardeau, and Scott (Debbie) Sander of Commerce; sisters, Sherre Sue Simmons, and Regina Sander, both of Commerce; twelve nephews and six nieces.

He was preceded in death by his father, James David Simmons, and two brothers, Timothy J. Simmons and Kevin Eugene Sander.

Visitation is scheduled from 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 7, 2010, at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston where Prayers will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday evening.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 8, 2010, at St. Henry Catholic Church in Charleston. Reverend Glenn Eftink, Pastor of St. Henry Catholic Church, Msgr. Richard Rowling of Cape Girardeau, and Reverends Michael Castelle, Pastor of St. Denis Catholic Church, and will serve as celebrants.

Interment will follow in the Texas Bend Cemetery under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.

The family requests that memorial contributions may be made to St. Henry Parish, 304 Court Street, in Charleston, Missouri 63834.