Ted Simmons

August 9, 1934    ~    July 1, 2006

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    Theodore Winlock Simmons was born in Glasgow, Kentucky on August 9, 1934 to Wilma Earl Simmons and Martha Thomas Winlock Simmons, both of Barren County.  He graduated from Glasgow High School in 1953.  He attended the University of Kentucky where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity, and later Western Kentucky University receiving an Associates Degree in Computer Science.  Ted also attended the National Institute of Photography in New York where he honed his skill and passion for photography. 

                Ted began his career as a photographer with Olan Mills, and later operated his own studio.  In 1960, the 100^th Division of the Army Reserve was called up to serve at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, and Ted was called to duty.  Upon completion of his duty with the 100^th Division, he attended the National Training School for Boy Scout Executives.  Scouting was important to Ted throughout his life.  An Eagle Scout, Ted graduated from the National Training School for Boy Scout Executives in 1962 and devoted the next 12 years to serving as a Boy Scout Executive.  Ted held posts in Fulton, Kentucky, Chicago, Illinois, and the Philippine Islands, where he managed a South East Asia office that included the Philippine Islands, Okinawa, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.  After returning from the Philippines in 1974 and serving a short while in the Chicago area, Ted decided that he wanted to return to Barren County to rear his family.  Ted took a position with the Barren County Chamber of Commerce which he held until 1981.  He rejoined the Kentucky Army National Guard that year and served as a Supervisor of Production Recruiters until his retirement in 1994.  Ted retired at the rank of Master Sergeant. 

                Upon retirement, Ted devoted his time to several hobbies, including the collection, production and sale of Military Miniatures.  In addition, Ted was extremely interested in the Museum of the Barrens where he served on the Military History Committee.  Ted worked diligently to see that a military section of the museum was completed for Barren County, and was exceedingly proud of the work he and others put into the Museum of the Barrens.  The Museum boasts an extensive collection of military uniforms, weapons, and memorabilia dating from the Civil War through every major conflict that all of Barren County can be proud of.  Many of the items on display are on loan to the museum from Ted and his family.  Another of Ted’s passions was the Glasgow Highland Games.  Ted worked at the games each year doing odd jobs and making pictures.  He loved every minute of the Games and did not miss any of them. 

                Ted is survived by his wife of 46 years, Patricia (Paddy) Cayce Simmons, a daughter Ashley Rusher and son in law, Derwood Rusher of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a son Win Simmons and daughter in law, Juliana Heltsley Simmons, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, a sister, Brenda Simmons White and brother in law, Dale White, of Lexington, Kentucky, six grandchildren, Paige Rusher, Clay Rusher, Shelby Rusher, Boone Simmons, Brodie Simmons and Jenna Grace Simmons, and many loving nieces and nephews. 

                Funeral will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 5, 2006, at the Hatcher & Saddler Funeral Home with burial in the Glasgow Municipal Cemetery with the Kentucky 623^rd National Guard providing military honors.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday and from 10:00 a.m. Wednesday until time of services. 

                Alternate expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to T. J. Samson Hospice.