Ronald Simmons

Ronald Simmons, age 87, formerly of Johnstown, Colorado, passed away Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Memorial Community Care in Aurora. 
Ron’s wishes were to be cremated.  A Graveside Service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, March 19 at the Phillips Cemetery.   No Visitation.  The family invites you to join them after the graveside at the Phillips Memorial Hall for lunch and sharing of memories.  Memorials may be made to the Grace Cancer Foundation. Higby-McQuiston Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family through the mortuary website at www.higbymortuary.com. 
Ronald Jay Simmons, son of Evan Leo and Esther (May) Simmons was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on August 15, 1938, and passed away in Aurora, on February 5, 2026, at the age of 87. 
Ron lost his father at age 6.   Shortly after his father’s death the family moved to California.   He grew up in Los Angeles, California, joined the United States Navy in 1955, while in the Navy he earned his GED.   Ron was honorably discharged in 1959.   He last served on the U.S.S. Los Angeles, but his favorite ship was the U.S.S. Harry E. Hubbard.   
On June 10, 1961, he was united in marriage to Carole Ann Steenbergen in Bellflower, California. They had two children: Ray and Rhonda.  They remained in California until 1981 and move to Littleton, Colorado. Ron worked as a printing press operator for several different companies.   He owned his own printing company at one time.   Ron finished his career as a top-level printer at Lockheed Martin.  Ron and Carole moved to Johnstown, Colorado in 2003.   While in Johnstown he was active in the American Legion and the VFW and made lifelong friends.       
After the loss of his wife in January 2019, Ron moved to Aurora in 2020.   He enjoyed sharing his love of fast cars and firearms with his family.   He was in his happy place at the shooting range.   He was also a huge dog lover.   Ron was also a big Nebraska fan.   He loved Nebraska football and volleyball, but he kept tabs on all the Nebraska sports.   He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.     
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Carole, his mother and father-in-law, Edward and Lois Steenbergen.   3 brothers, 1 sister, 2 brothers-in-law and 1 sister- in-law. 
Those left to cherish his memory are his two children, Ray (Linda) Simmons of Aurora and Rhonda (Dallas) Wagner of Osceola; an “adopted” son Gary (Nora) Burger of Littleton, Colorado, grandson Clint Simmons of Grand Island, granddaughter Amanda (Josh) Gesell of Norfolk, grandson Beau (Laura) Simmons of Aurora, and 10 great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by his brother-in-law Dennis (Bonnie) Steenbergen of Littleton, Colorado, and brother-in-law Rodney (Launae) Steenbergen of Alba, Texas.