Craig Dudley Simmons

Craig Dudley Simmons, 77, passed away Monday evening, June 17, 2024. Born March 20, 1947, to Glenn & Ruby (nee Reid) Simmons of West Chicago, Illinois. While growing up in West Chicago, he raised and trained homing pigeons, enjoyed hunting with his 22-caliber rifle, and camping with his family. He graduated from West Chicago Community High School in 1965.

After graduation, he continued his education at Eureka College, in Eureka, Illinois. While at Eureka, he pledged the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and was eventually elected its Vice President. This is the same office, in the same fraternity house, on the same campus, that Ronald Reagan held during the 1930’s. Reagan was on campus several times while Craig was in school, and Craig was lucky enough to meet Mr. Reagan through TKE activities. On one such visit, Craig was photographed with the future president of the United States! Please see the photo in The Gallery below.

Craig married Susan Hess about a year before his college graduation. He worked three jobs to pay his way through school. Craig and Sue divorced after a 10-year marriage. He retained custody of both Jennifer and Brad. At that time, less than 2% of divorced fathers were given full custody of their children.

During his professional career Craig worked in the Purchasing departments for 6 different companies in 3 states plus Mexico. He lived in 6 different cities in 4 different states. His work included trips to China, Korea and other Asian countries.

In 1980, Craig married Kitty Pirozzoli. They remodeled and expanded Kitty’s house and Craig, Brad and Jennifer moved in with Kitty and her two daughters, Kristi and Karri.

In 1993, Craig and Kitty adopted a son, Kobie.

Craig has always enjoyed camping, boating, and travelling. At one point in his life, he had a Stingray speed boat with an inboard motor. Water skiing and tubing behind Craig’s boat were enjoyed by family and friends for many years! Craig & Kitty travelled over much of the United States in their 5th wheel travel trailer pulled by a Ford F-450 truck. Between 2012 and 2019, Craig maintained “The Simmons Saga” blog so his family and friends could follow their exploits.

In his later years, he took up woodcarving, making mostly water animals and other things out of old driftwood. In 2012, Craig and Kitty sold the home in South Beloit, Illinois, and bought a mobile home on Lake Okeechobee and retired to Florida. In 2022, they sold their mobile home and purchased a house in Cadiz, Kentucky to live out their final years closer to family.

Craig is survived by his wife of over 39 years, Kitty, daughters Jennifer (Neil) Dellinger, Kristi Miller, Karri Rowland, sons Brad (Dawn) Simmons, Kobie Simmons, brother Reid (Margo) Simmons, sisters Jane (Gary) Cotie, Robin (Paul) Elson, several grandchildren and a great-grandson. He was preceded in death by both of his parents, his first wife Sue (Doug) Devore and his nephew, Devon Cotie.

Craig’s final wishes were to be cremated, with no funeral or memorial services. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Vasculitis Foundation Memorial Gift.