Obituary of Kirk E. Simmonds

Kirk E. Simmonds, age 65, of Iowa City, died unexpectedly from a recent diagnosis of leukemia, Saturday April 30, 2022, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Memorial services will be held at 3pm Saturday May 7, 2022, at Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service with a time of fellowship to follow for family and friends. Burial services will take place at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo, Iowa at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Kirk’s memory to Reach For Your Potential. To share a thought, memory or condolence please visit the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com. Kirk was born on December 19, 1956 in Iowa City, IA to Harold and Marian Simmonds. He attended Pine School as a child and also participated in activities through Systems Unlimited. He graduated from University Hospital School in 1978. Later on he got involved with the Nelson Adult Center. With the help of job coaches he had various jobs - the last one being at the LoneStar Steak House in Coralville, IA. He enjoyed activities with his family to include fishing, eating out, a trip to Disneyland, and drinking coffee! He played his record collection for hours as he sang along with his favorite songs. He was able to enjoy many years of going to Adventureland with his Mom, his sister Pam and his nephew Corey. He liked a few of the rides, but especially enjoyed drinking coffee on the patio of his hotel room, and swimming in the Adventureland Inn pool. When his Mom turned 85 in 2011, Kirk moved from the home he shared with her to a Reach for Your Potential (RFYP) home. Kirk was 55 and as you can imagine, it took him a while to adjust to his new living environment, but in time he did and they became a second family. He was taken very good care of and for that we are all extremely grateful. He also enjoyed Karaoke and his favorite song to sing was “Elvira.” He received a Karaoke machine this past Christmas from RFYP and my brother Jack and I got to witness him sing “Elvira” at one of his regular meetings at his house. In fact, brother Jack, and Kirk’s house facilitator, Mike, joined in this. It was truly a joyous experience. (You can find this on YouTube if you would like to see it!) I’ve recently been told that he also sang in the morning and evening at his house and among his favorites were “Elvira” by the Oak Ridge Boys, and “Downtown” by Petula Clark. He continued to have outings with his Mom and siblings to include going out to eat, people watching at the mall, and of course going out for coffee - in particular McDonald’s coffee. Are you sensing a coffee theme here? Coffee was indeed one of his favorite things throughout his life. His RFYP staff were all very aware of this too! Kirk had some hilarious stories that he liked to tell over and over again, and were always funny to listen to. It was fun to watch someone who had not heard the stories react to them. Kirk is survived by his siblings Pam Butler, Jack Simmonds (Connie), Kris Burkett, Connie Smothers (Bart), 6 nieces and nephews, and 10 great nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his Dad, Mom, and infant brother Jock.