GLADSTONE, Ore. – Stanford T. Simmons, 83, of Gladstone, passed away peacefully at home, the evening of Jan. 23, 2018.
Stanford was born Feb. 4, 1934, in Torrington, the son of Newton Jasper and Nora Frata Simmons. Stan graduated from Torrington High School in 1952. Stan continued his education at Northwestern University in Minneapolis, Minn., earning a bachelor’s degree in Business in 1956.
While at Northwestern, he met the love of his life, Beverly Jean Salisbury. They were married on June 24, 1955, at Salem First Baptist Church in Salem, Ore. Stan and Bev raised four daughters, Terri, Sharon, Sandi and Amy. In his professional life, Stan went to work for the J. C. Penny Company and was with them for 17 years. As part of J.C Penney, the family moved to stores in Salem, Lake Grove (downtown Portland), Eugene, and Toppenish, Wash. It was there that Stan was promoted to Store Manager.
The Penny Company wanted Stan to climb higher up the management ladder and relocate to Los Angeles, Calif. However, Stan decided this would not be a good situation for his family. So instead he purchased the Ben Franklin Variety Store in the Oregon City Shopping Center, which he ran as the family business for several years. Due to business conditions in the late 1970’s, Stan closed that store, and moved into real estate, buying a series of mobile home parks in the Portland area, over the next several years. Stan managed those parks, expanding them, and even built an additional mobile home park in 1996.
Stan’s whole purpose in life was God and family. His relationship with God, and his church meant everything to him. In October 2015, while the family was on vacation in Hawaii, Beverly, his wife of 60 years, passed away from a sudden heart attack. Stan was just devastated, but focused on keeping his family together.
In February 2017, Stan married his long-time friend, Sara Seward Williams. Stan credited her with “saving his life.” They were happily married until the time of Stan’s passing. Throughout the years Stan was very philanthropic, donating his time and income to many needy organizations, families and individuals. Stan has been an active member of the local Rotary Club and participated in its founding in 1987.
Stan is survived by his wife Sara, his two daughters Terri and her husband Nathan Williams, and Sharon and her husband Bruce Wadsworth, four grandchildren, his sister-in-law, as well as many nieces and nephews. Preceding Stan in death were his daughter Amy Lou Simmons, and his grandson Ryan Williams.
A memorial service will be held at Gladstone First Baptist Church, 6125 Caldwell Rd., Gladstone, OR 97027, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3.
In lieu of flowers, we would appreciate your donation in kind to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, 700 SW Campus Dr., Portland, OR 97239. Stan’s youngest daughter Amy, received treatment there. Thank you. Arrangements by Holman-Hankins-Bowker & Waud.
