Gaylon Davis ‘Popsey’ Simmons
GaylonDavis“Popsey” Simmons died January 1, 2024, at his home in Ruston, at the age of 87.
He was born Dec. 23, 1936, to Johnnie Davis and Bertie Culver Simmons in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.
Gaylon graduated from Arcadia High School in 1955. He attended Louisiana Tech University and graduated from Kilgore Jr. College in Kilgore, Texas.
Gaylon was an entrepreneur. He and his former wife, Annette Turner, were the owners of LEDCO, a conglomerate of Oil and Gas companies, operating in multiple states prior to his retirement in 1986. LEDCO was listed in Fortune 500 in 1984 as one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the United States.
He spent most of his time working in and around the New Orleans area. Once retired, he then resided full time in Jackson Parish.
Gaylon was on the Alumni Board at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston and was one of the key founders to have Caney Lake Reservoir built and served as chairman of the Jackson Parish Watershed Commission for a number of years.
Gaylon and his wife Charlotte Denise Hudson were married in 2002. They enjoyed traveling, crappie fishing, gardening, and spending time with their children and grandchildren. They were blessed with the opportunity to enjoy watching all their family grow their own families.
Gaylon was also the founder of Big Buck Hunting Club, based at his homestead in Bienville Parish.
You could find him here during deer season or before preparing for the upcoming season. He enjoyed the outdoors. He and his grandchildren loved taking trail rides and enjoying time together. He was an avid reader of non-fiction books and literature. He would read daily and change out his books at the public library.
He is survived by his wife, Denise Simmons; son, Scot Davis Simmons and his wife Lory Denise Simmons of Ruston; grandchildren, Reid Davis Simmons of Madison, Mississippi and Pearce Quentin Simmons of Oxford, Mississippi; and niece, Debbie Collins; stepchildren, Cherie Odom and husband James of Ruston and children Faith, Lily Kate, Mathew and great- grandson Wade, Frank Mathews and wife Lindsay of West Monroe, and children Kypton and Graysha.
Preceding his death were his daughter, Gay Ann Simmons- Posey; son, Chad Edward Simmons; sister, Hazel Simmons Peel; and brother, Clyde Thomas Simmons.
Pallbearers are Trent Ellis, Matthew Fuqua, Frank Mathews, Gary Mesa, James Odom and Barry Ryals. Honorary Pallbearers are John E. Maxwell, Larry C. Mayfield, Fred L. Mesa and C.A. Taylor.
The Visitation service was held at Kilpatrick Funeral Home, in Ruston, on Jan. 4, from 1-2 p.m. Immediately following was the Memorial Service at 2 p.m. Graveside services were held at Kilpatrick Memorial Garden.
The entire Simmons family appreciates your heartfelt sympathy.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes. com.
