Stanley Ross Simmons

Surrounded by his family on March 6, 2011, S.R. Pete Simmons entered immortality with our Lord and Savior following a series of debilitating conditions his body could no longer endure. Pete's adventure began in Wichita, Kansas on May 30, 1929, Decoration Day. He was born to Henry and Mabel Stockham as the sixth child amongst eight offspring. The family eventually found themselves grounded in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where Pete spent his childhood witnessing his father work as the grounds keeper for the Tulsa Oilers baseball team. With an 8th grade education to his name, Pete swiftly departed Tulsa, where he would soon find himself in Canada. Joining a "Wild West Show," Pete discovered his great love working with horses – a love that would stay with him his entire life. Additionally, Pete picked up the art of trick roping where he deftly dazzled audiences with an exhaustive combination of tricks. Keeping up with the art, inspired very much by the great American, Will Rogers, Pete would eventually dazzle audiences one last time as the oldest featured trick roper in the hit musical, "The Will Rogers Follies." Pete's first love, however, was always his lovely wife, Leslie May Lamunyon. They were joined in holy matrimony on December 20, 1952 in Enid, Oklahoma. Their love brought into this world four daughters who would become four amazing women. Shortly after their marriage, the allure of ranch life brought the family to northern Colorado in 1954. Thus began a chapter in his life that would foster a love of rodeo. This earned him status as a "Gold Card" member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Associate PRCA. While Pete competed in a wide range of events, he soon began to focus on timed events, finding a specific passion for Single Steer Roping. His nascent skills soon matured and after competing in several Invitational Ropings, he qualified for the PRCA Single Steer Roping Finals of 1971 and 1972. Unable to shake his passion for show business, Pete and his four daughters were able to take a trick roping act on the road. "The Spinning Simmons and Their Ropes in Rhythm" were contracted often to perform at several rodeos and venues in Colorado and Wyoming from 1963 to 1965. Leslie got into the action by designing and making the dazzling costumes for the show, thus making it a true "family act". Before retiring from the Labor Union in 1991, Pete spent a life wearing many different hats…a pipe foreman, ranch hand, painter, ring and yard man, auctioneer, and a teacher who would pass on his wisdom to others. Outside of work, he was incessantly supporting his daughters in 4-H and high school rodeo. Sharing his passion for all things western, he invested time teaching leather craft to many youngsters in 4-H and was instrumental in starting the Larimer County High School Rodeo Club in 1971. He could often be found working the auction ring at the Larimer County Fair.
As a member of St. John's Lutheran Church since 1954, Pete shared his talent of fly fishing and tying flies with members of the congregation and contributed to the growth and character of his daughters by emphasizing that anything worth doing is worth doing well. In his final years, Pete's joy was made complete as grand children entered his life, filling his days with a whole new set of adventures. As the grandchildren matured into adults, Pete would see his line passed down to great grandchildren. As a Veteran of the Air Force, serving our country in the Korean War and stationed in Iwo Jima, Pete will be interred at Fort Logan National Cemetery with honors. Pete is survived by his wife of 58 years, Leslie May. Daughters include Laquitta Michael Blehm, Stanlyn Joe Johnston, Ladelle Jack West and Sheila Chip Barnhart. Grandchildren include Logan West, Levi West, Nathaniel Barnhart, Reggan Blehm, Kennan Blehm, Jachele West, Noah Barnhart and Devon Barnhart. To round it out, great grandchildren include Lucas Yoke, Tucker West, Asher Barnhart and Hunter West to be born very soon. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Pathways Hospice, Cancer Building Fund PVH Foundation or charity of your choice. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Interment with Military Honors will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, CO., Staging Area "B".