Kermit C. Simmons, Jr. was born Sept. 26, 1959 and went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Mar. 16, 2023 at the age of 63. He was raised in Moss Bluff, where he met and married the love of his life, Janet Puerta, with whom he was married for 40 years.
He began his career as an electrician working in New York City, N.Y., working on the high rises. Once moving back to Louisiana, he decided to pursue a collegiate degree, diligently working and completing college courses at night for seven years.
He graduated from McNeese State University with a double major in Business and Finance and furthered his education by earning his Masters of Business in Administration from LSU. He fulfilled his career by working for LHC Group, where he became Divisional Vice President managing several Long Term Acute Care (LTAC) facilities.
He was a thoughtful and generous leader who supported his staff and deeply cared for the comfort and treatment of his patients.
Kermit was a member of Trinity Baptist Church and a devoted follower of Christ. He and his wife were participants in the church choir and active in Bible studies. The day before his passing he stated, “Don’t make me out to be something I’m not. I’m a sinner saved by grace!” His greatest desire was for his life to bear witness to the goodness and love of God. He was deeply loved by all whose lives he touched.
Kermit loved and cherished his family. He loved planning vacations, cooking on his Big Green Egg, singing with Kaci (granddaughter), and playing football and baseball with his grandsons.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Janet; daughters, Kandice Simmons King and husband, Micah and Krystal Simmons Henagan and husband, Lance; grandchildren, Kaci, Issac, Karson, Kaleb, Kenneth, Kade, Kyle, and Konner; siblings, Kathleen Simmons Crick and husband, Lee, Kara Simmons Granger and husband, Hal, and Kevin Simmons.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Kermit Simmons, Sr, and Beverly Hambrick Simmons; and sister, Patricia Lee Luquette.
The family would like to express our sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and multiple members of support staff at Lafayette General, Louisiana Extended Care Hospital of Lafayette, and Acadian Ambulance for the excellent care Kermit received throughout his final months here on Earth. A heartfelt appreciation for David Ashton Reed MD for not only giving excellent care, being an attentive patient advocate, but being an avid friend to Kermit.
The family received family and friends from 4-7 p.m. Sunday Mar. 19, at First Baptist Church, DeQuincy. Visitation continued from 9-11 a.m. with funeral service following at 11 a.m., Monday Mar. 20, at First Baptist Church DeQuincy. Pastor David Earnest and Pastor Bill Saxby officiated. Interment followed at Masonic Cemetery, DeQuincy.
Arrangements were handled by Riley Smith & Sons Funeral Home, 1810 W. Fourth St., DeQuincy.
(Paid Memorial)
