Donald Reid Simmons gained his heavenly reward on January 4, 2024, after a cancer diagnosis in December of 2022. Reid fought the battle as a warrior never complaining and never giving up.
Reid was born to Donald Reid and Wanda Simmons on September 24, 1957. His brothers, Ricky and Ryvers, completed the family a few years later. Reid attended Roosevelt Schools graduating in 1975. While in school, Reid was heavily involved in 4-H, showing sheep, and showing horses. He spent summers traveling many miles showing Appaloosa horses with his favorite Aunt and Uncle, Ray and Virginia Walker. He started trying his hand at bull riding and saddle bronc riding while in high school. After graduation, he attended Oklahoma State University for one year and then transferred to Southwestern Oklahoma State University on a rodeo scholarship. He was a gifted saddle bronc rider. He won the Region in 1979 and qualified to ride in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association finals in Bozeman, Montana, in both 1979 and 1980. He then transferred back to OSU to complete his Bachelor’s degree. He competed in the PRCA rodeos for several years racking up numerous wins over a multi-state area. He continued to ride saddle broncs until 1991 when he suffered an elbow injury. After the injury, he decided it was time to retire his saddle and rein.
Reid met Pam (Tinney) at college in 1980 when he asked her to dance. While both were attending college at Oklahoma State University, Reid asked Pam to be his wife and they married on August 1, 1981. Their dance continued for over 42 years.
Their family grew by 45 kids when they became class parents for the Mangum Class of 1985. In 1987, the apple of Reid’s eye, Trinity Castle Simmons, was born. Reid could not wait for Trinity to graduate from her stick horse to a real horse. For her 2nd birthday, Reid and Pam bought Trinity her first horse. At 4 years old, Reid and Trinity were in the show ring racking up points in the Oklahoma Appaloosa Club. Whatever activity Trinity was involved in, Reid was right there with her whether it be showing horses, showing sheep, hunting, softball, or supporting her dream to be a State Trooper. Reid had a couple of lasting seam imprints from errant softballs during Trinity’s pitching practice. He wore those scars proudly. A highlight of his life was seeing Trinity fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a State Trooper. He beamed with pride as her first badge was pinned to her chest.
Reid was a member of the First Baptist Church serving as the sound technician for over 25 years in addition to being a Deacon in the church. Reid loved music and he loved to read. Very seldom was he seen without 2 or 3 books along with a Bible in his pickup and beside his bed. He loved farming and raising cattle in addition to quail hunting and training his constant hunting partner and companion, Jax. He and Pam were avid OSU Cowboy fans and loved following the teams. Reid served on several boards through the years including the Oklahoma Appaloosa Club, Mangum School Board, Kiwanis Club, Greer County Fair Board, and President of the Greer County AFR.
After working in the insurance business, real estate, and appraising business for 20 years, he went to work for the State of Oklahoma before retiring December 31, 2022. Although the retirement plans he and Pam had were altered due to the cancer diagnosis, Reid remained kind, faithful, resilient, and positive the entire year of 2023 as he fought bravely through the difficult times of the cancer treatments.
The entire Simmons family want to thank each and every one who have extended their friendship, support, encouragement, love, food, hugs, thoughts, and most importantly the constant prayers on our behalf.
Reid’s request was for memorial donations be made in his memory to the Cadet Lawman Academy. This is an organization for High School Juniors that was very special to Reid, Pam, and Trinity.
Donations can be made to: Cadet Lawman Academy,
C/O Greer Funeral Home, 235 S. Pennsylvania, Mangum, OK 73554,
To send flowers in memory of Donald Reid Simmons, visit the Tribute Store.
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