Marvin A. Simmons

Marvin Atroth Simmons, 76, was born February 16, 1934 in Moss Bluff, LA, to Atroth and L. V. Simmons and left this earth in comfort and peace in Lake Charles on November 14, 2010 at a local hospital.

Marvin was the salutatorian of Gillis High Schools' 1952 graduating class. He worked for Schlesinger Tobacco Co. after which he went into business for himself rebuilding the Park-n-Shop through a partnership that he eventually bought out. In 1968 he sold the Park-n-Shop and went into the Ironworkers Local 678 for whom he worked until 1992. He settled in Iowa and opened the 383 Country Mart that he presided over until his retirement in August 1998. Mr. Simmons was an avid fisherman and hunter who loved the outdoors including working in his garden. "Pappy", as he was affectionately called will be sorely missed by his family and his multitude of friends.

Survivors include his wife of fifty-five years, Shirley Burks Simmons; his daughter Karen L. Fontenot and husband Hilery; ten grandchildren, Matthew Courville, Kelly D`on Thompson and Leslie Thompson, Kari Abshire, Bradley Duplantis, Joshua Courville, Ricky Duplantis, Henry "Dean", Carter, and Robert Fontenot; and seven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Atroth and L. V. Simmons; a son, Bradley C. Simmons; one sister, Billie Beth Hooks, one brother, Rodney Simmons,

His funeral will be at 2:00 PM, Friday, November 19, 2010 in the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend U. A. Dorin will officiate. Burial will be in Ritchie Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM, Thursday, and continue from 9:00 AM until time of services, Friday, in the funeral home.