Kenneth Simmons

BANGOR - Kenneth H. Simmons passed away on October 18, 2021 in a local hospital at the age of 94. Ken was born on September 13, 1927, in Monson, Maine, the fourth of ten children of Frederick J. Simmons and Elizabeth (Bodge) Simmons and the last to pass away. Ken was educated in the Monson Public Schools, graduating from Monson Academy in 1944. After high school, Ken worked briefly as a Trackman for the B&A Railroad. Ken enlisted in the Army in June of 1945 to fight in WWII, and he entered the Army in September of 1945. After basic training, he was sent to South Korea on occupation duty. Ken was discharged from the Army in February of 1947 as a Staff Sergeant in the Medical Detachment of the 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Ken returned to work for the railroad until he entered Husson College in September of 1947. He graduated with an Accounting Diploma in June of 1948. In April of 1948, he married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy L. Mitchell, ultimately settling in Bangor. Ken began his career in Civil Service for the Federal Government as an office worker at the Togus Veteran’s Hospital before accepting a position at Dow AFB in May of 1951 as a Contract Specialist. Later Ken was promoted to Civilian Contracting Officer. Ken continued working at Dow AFB, even after it closed, serving as the Air Force’s agent to the Bangor Housing Authority, until he retired in October of 1978. At the time of his retirement Ken was one of the longest serving Civilian Contracting Officers in the Federal Government.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his five sisters: Celia (Flanders), Inez (Pullard), Evelyn (Clukey), Viola (Bridge) and Cynthia (Casanova) and by his four brothers: F. Forrest, Percy, Basil and Millard.
Ken was survived, albeit briefly, by Dorothy, his wife of 73 years. Dorothy passed away on October 24, 2021. Ken is survived by his daughter, Lois Simmons Ingram, and her husband, Ken of Ocean City, MD, and two sons, Deane Simmons and his wife, Sheryl of Portland, ME and their children, Eric Simmons and Jenna Simmons and Craig Simmons of Portsmouth, NH and his children, Daniel Bragg and his wife, Caroline, and Nicole Walker.
A private service will be held for the family at the New Blanchard Cemetery in Blanchard, ME. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.