Lieutenant General, USA, (Ret.) Charles J. Simmons died peacefully, with his family by his side, on Thursday, May 8, 2014 at Woodhaven Hall, Williamsburg Landing. He was 88.
He was born September 1, 1925 to George and Maurine Simmons, and grew up in Amarillo, Texas.
Lt. Gen. Simmons was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Calvary upon graduation from West Point in 1946. His first assignment was in Austria, where he served as Aide to the United States High Commissioner, and met and married Joanne Swift. Upon return to the states, he received his master’s degree from Columbia University, then joined the faculty of the United States Military Academy. He departed the Academy from 1958-1960 to serve with the Eighth Army in Korea. He rejoined the faculty at West Point from 1961-63 and later served in Vietnam from 1966-1967. Returning to Germany, he commanded the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, and became the Assistant Division Commander. After an assignment at the Pentagon, he went back to Germany to command the 3rd Armored Division from 1975-1977, and was then appointed Deputy Commander in Chief, United States Army, Europe and Seventh Army. In 1978 he retired from the United States Army. He and his wife later moved to Williamsburg, VA where he resided until his death.
Lt. General Simmons is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joanne; daughter, Leslie; son, Charles and his wife Zulfiya; and grandchildren, Rachael, Shannon, Michael and Christopher.
Funeral services with military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Please leave online condolences for the family at www.nelsencares.com.
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