Donald Eugene “Donnie” Simms, 61, of Farmington died May 14, 2022, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Mr. Simms was a member of New Beginnings Worship Centre where he served on the board. He was a softball and baseball umpire for MSHSAA for many years. He was a member of Elks Lodge Post 2583 in Desloge and Missouri Professional Land Surveyors Association. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, bowling with his wife on their Split Happens bowling team and spending time with family, especially his grandchildren. Born Nov. 24, 1960, in Bonne Terre, he was the son of Eva Jane (Harrington) Simms and the late Ronald Eugene Simms.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 14 years: Kerri (Richey) Simms; five children: Kelsey (Richie) Gay, Justin (Candice Robinson) Simms, Tara (Eric) Lane, Jordan (Ariel) Simms and Jesse (Afton) Simms; eight grandchildren: Chloe, Chandler, Aiden, Erikson, Levi, Owen, Gideon and Adley, with another on the way; two siblings: Denita (Gary Hahn) King and Dana (Pat) Pritchett; his godmother: Betty Jo Winter; his mother-in-law: Joyce Richey; and many other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Harold and Elizabeth “Joyce” (Laws) Simms and James and Beulah Harrington; his father-in-law: Ernie Richey; and a brother-in-law: Johnnie Richey.
Visitation is scheduled from 4 p.m. until a funeral service at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, at New Beginnings Worship Centre, 4665 Highway O, in Farmington, officiated by the Rev. Tim Morgan and Pastor Randy Gray. Memorials may be made to New Beginnings Worship Centre, P.O. Box 1245, Farmington, 63640. Arrangements are under the direction of Cozean Funeral Home in Farmington.