Leonard Bryant Simmons of Texas City, Texas went to his glory on March 2, 2026 at age 74. He was born in Center, Texas on March 11, 1951 to Leon and Marianne Simmons, the third of six children. He graduated from Texas City High School, class of 1969.

At the end of 1971, Leonard began dating Jerry Reding who had a one-year-old son, Stephen. In 1973 he married Jerry and the following year, adopted Stephen. Leonard anchored this loving family for a decade. In 1982 he began dating Deborah Stubba who had a two-year-old daughter, Brandy, whom he also took as his own. In 1986 he married Deborah and they had a son, James. In 2006 Leonard married Joyce Cuyos after an nine-year courtship. He would remain a bachelor for the final 16 years of his life while continuing to cherish his children, both natural and adopted.

Leonard was preceded in death by his mother Marianne Mayes Simmons, father Leon Simmons, brothers Henry Walton Simmons and Alan Neal Simmons, sister Elizabeth Anne Welch, wives Jerry Reding Simmons, Deborah Ann Simmons and Joyce Ann Cuyoz.

He is survived by his son Stephen Douglas Simmons and his wife Pam Simmons, daughter Brandy Christine Shotwell and her husband Douglas Shotwell, son James Bryant Simmons, sister Deborah Cerquoz and her husband Robert Cerquoz, sister Jean Pollock and her husband Hal Pollock, grandchildren Makayla Dennis, Aubrey Dike, Ciara Simmons and Elliot Simmons, nephews David Welch, Michael Welch, Christopher Cerquoz, Richard Pollock and Michael Pollock, niece Denise Cerquoz as well as many great nieces and nephews.

Leonard was an insulator by trade, working in various refineries based primarily in Texas City. He was a proud union member of Local 22. In his spare time, he enjoyed the outdoors, working with his hands and the nightlife about town. He made many life-long friends through work and play.

Leonard was an avid hunter. Along with the family farm property in the piney woods of San Augustine, Texas, which he dubbed the Ponderosa up the country, he was a member of the Damon Hunting Club deer lease from the mid 70’s until they closed in 2015. Primarily a deer hunter, he also hunted smaller in-season game with his many friends. He even pressed his own ammunition. He shared his love for the outdoors with his family, teaching Stephen proper gun respect and how to hunt from a young age and bringing Brandy and James to the lease regularly.

Leonard was a craftsman, engaging in a wide variety of carpentry projects from bookcases to complete camp houses and most everything in between. His projects included metal working as he was a skilled welder. Among his many projects, he made his own custom truck bumpers and trailers and did a full conversion of a VW bug into a hunting buggy. There was really nothing he couldn’t do. Whatever he set his mind to, he would tinker and ask around until he made it happen.

After hours, Leonard enjoyed a good time drinking beer and telling stories at the various taverns around town, both with his long-time friends and those he had only just met. The Little Doggie bar was his favorite and he continued to visit most days even after he quit drinking, just to chew the fat and bring food and deserts for the barmaids. Perhaps fittingly, the Doggie closed shortly after he was no longer able to visit. He had an endearing charisma and the gift of gab which everyone seemed to take to. His frankness was disarming. You could write a book with all the sayings he came up with. He was known to help anyone that asked and friends responded in kind. Leonard will be remembered as a good and honest man.

 

Family and friends plan to celebrate Leonard’s life and honor his memory with a gathering to share stories and remember the special man that touched all our lives.

Leonard’s memorial gathering will be held on April 24, 2026 from 1:00-5:00pm at Crowder Funeral Home, 401 Texas Ave. in La Marque just over the tracks from Texas City. No official program. Come and go as you like.