Cecil O. “Sonny” Simmons, Jr. was born in Shreveport, LA on October 23, 1950 and finished his journey on this earth in Ruston, La on March 26, 2021.

Sonny was a graduate of Fair Park High School in Shreveport. In his early years, he worked with his father as an Assistant Mechanic for the Shreveport Fire Department.  From Shreveport, he moved to Ohio where he was a truck driver for Columbia Oil for many years.  In 1988, Sonny made his home in Ruston, LA where he began working at Miller Office Supply in their service department.  In 2001, Sonny formed Office Techs, formerly Miller Office Supply Service Department.  He serviced and repaired a wide range of business office products and truly valued the friendships he made with his customers.  Sonny enjoyed singing in the choir at Temple Baptist Church, especially the Singing Christmas Tree as well as other special music performances.  Sonny also enjoyed skiing, boating, and fishing, but nothing made him happier than helping friends and family with various repairs and projects.  More times than not the only thing he would allow for compensation was a pot of coffee and the time spent with those he loved.  To know Sonny was to know his servant’s heart.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents: M/M W.B. Ratcliff and M/M R.O. Simmons; his parents: C.O. Simmons, Sr. and Bettie Turner Simmons; and his sister, Cynthia Terral.

Those left to cherish his memory are his fiancé and soul mate – Anna Jane Mcilvaine of College Corner, OH; his son – Rick Rice and wife, Amber and their son Joshua of Hamilton, OH; his stepmother – Billie P. Simmons of Logansport, LA; his stepsister – Cathy Rackley of Mandeville, LA; his Aunts – Margie S. Hearn and husband, Robert of Ruston, LA; and Robbie Massey of West Monroe, LA; and a host of other family and friends who loved him dearly.

In keeping with Sonny’s wishes, the there will be a private family memorial service in the Chapel of Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, LA.

Any planned memorials may be made to Temple Baptist Church (Community Fireworks) – 1515 South Service Road West – Ruston, LA  71270.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.