Dr. Samuel Joseph Simmons III, 84, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014 in Fairhope. He became a resident of Daphne following Hurricane Katrina, and is formerly of Pascagoula, Miss.
As a young man, he attended Gulf Coast Military Academy in Gulfport, Miss. He served his country proudly in the U.S. Navy at Fort Rucker and at Pensacola Naval Air station from 1948-1952, where he was trained as a pilot.
He attended the University of Florida for his undergraduate studies. Following in the footsteps of his parents, he entered the medical field and graduated from the Tulane University School of Medicine in 1959 and went on to serve his three-year residency in medicine at Charity Hospital in New Orleans and M.D. training at Touro Infirmary, also in New Orleans.
He was a beloved physician for 50 years in Jackson Co., Miss., and went on in the early 1960s to establish the very first intensive care unit at Singing River Hospital.
It was at Ocean Springs Hospital that he met the love of his life, a pretty young nurse, Gwen.
Dr. Simmons remained in the private practice of internal medicine prior to Hurricane Katrina. He was devoted to the service of his community.
Bicycling was a passion for him, belonging to the Gulf Coast Bicycle Club of Biloxi.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Dr. Samuel Simmons Jr. and Jessie Simmons; and his sister, Yvonne Best.
He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Gwen; his son, Matthew Forbish; two daughters, Sharon Simmons and Renee Simmons; and his nieces and nephew, Barbara Best, Linda Best and Joseph Best.
Services for Dr. Simmons will be announced at a later date.
Expressions of condolence may be offered at www.hughesfh.com.
Arrangements by Hughes Funeral Home & Crematory, Daphne.
