David Barry Simmons

Jesus came for David Barry Simmons on October 1, 2021. Now he is fully healed and with his Lord and Savior for eternity. David was only 58 years old when he lost his battle with the Delta Variant of COVID-19 at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem. He was dearly loved by his family, friends, church, Boy Scouts, and co-workers. He walked with God serving others wherever he could while being trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. David was born on October 30, 1962, to David Paul Simmons and Carol Hodges Simmons in Bluefield, WV. After participating in many sports, David graduated from Mount Airy High School and went on to graduate from Wake Forest University. It was then he met his wife, Tracy O’Connor Simmons. Their loving close relationship lasted nearly 40 years. Together they have four sons, Peyton, Devin, Ryan, and Sheldon but also included as their sons, Austin Wood, Wesley Wood, and Matthew Wilson. David was very active in Salem Baptist Church, as a Sunday School Teacher, computer technician, Camera Operator, and School Board member just to name a few areas of involvement. In Boy Scouts of America, he served as an Assistant Scoutmaster and Scoutmaster for Troop 529 of the Dobson United Methodist Church, Eagle Board member for the Dogwood District, and assisted in many activities for the Old Hickory Council. During this time, he was honored with the District Award of Merit, Scoutmaster of the Year, and inducted to The Order of the Arrow - an honor society within B.S.A. David was very talented in many areas which became evident in his career choices. He worked at Cross Creek, Mt. Airy Country Club and Forsyth Country Club golf courses, Simmons & Sons Plumbing as a plumber, Roofing Associates as a roofer and Project Manager, Blue Ridge Enterprise as a Project Manager, Vice President of Carolina Classic Horse Expo, and Omega Construction as a Project Manager. He competed in the Martial Arts with a Black Belt while in college, piloted airplanes and was working on his Private License, bred racehorses and sport horses, actively worked with the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy to help preserve many rare equine breeds and most recently began a breeding operation to preserve the Pyrenean Mastiff breed – the oldest known canine breed but also rare and in need of preservation. His family will continue to work to preserve the Pyrenean Mastiff to honor his wishes. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Tracy, sons Peyton and Erica Isaacs, Devin, Ryan, Sheldon, Austin Wood, Wesley and Belle Wood, and Matthew Wilson; His mother Carol Simmons; stepmother Mary Simmons; In-laws, Daniel O’Connor, and Barbara Kitchens Lewis; his twin sister, Kimberly Simmons and brother, Chris; nephews, Trevor and Torrance Hamilton, Sam Simmons, Jesse and Andrew Mitchell; nieces, Summer Simmons, Fallon Cook, Jordan Mitchell, Dakota and Aubree Rice. David’s Father, David Paul Simmons went to his eternal home with Jesus January 22, 2021. Though he will be dearly missed, David is not dead…he is alive!
A Celebration of Life for David B. Simmons will be Saturday, October 16th, 2021 beginning at 3pm at Salem Baptist Church on 430 Rockford Road, Dobson, NC with visitation to follow. Please note that the time has been changed from what was posted earlier. We are making plans to Live Stream the Celebration for those who are unable to attend but want to participate. This information will be available soon through Moody Funeral Home of Mt. Airy https://moodyfuneralservices.com/obituaries/david-... .
In lieu of Flowers the family request donations to aid with final expenses. Make payments to Tracy Simmons c/o David Simmons Fund, P.O. Box 193, Dobson, NC 27017

In planning David’s Celebration of Life, the family is asking everyone who knew him to participate by sharing a memory or a message. This will be included in the Celebration. You are welcome to step up to the mic and share live or pre-record this. Many may find it easier to pre-record this. These will be treasured by the family, especially the boys as they grow up. In your memories is the model of the Man they want to become. This could be the greatest gift you could ever give them – a peace of their father.

How you can pre-record your memory or message and when and where to submit it:

Share your personal memories of David and notes for the family. Anyone can contribute by recording a short video and sending it to media@salemdobson.com. Pre-recorded memories can be filmed with your cell phone. Please send in your video prior to Wednesday, October 13, 2021. If you are unable to create your own video message for the Simmons family, you can film your memory in the church studio on Monday, October 11, 2021 between the hours of 5 - 7 PM.

For those recording their own messages, please film with your phone in a horizontal position. Make sure you’re recording somewhere that isn’t overly busy, noisy, or crowded (most of the time your living room couch works as a great place). We can do a little editing “magic” if needed, so don’t worry if you mess up, just pause for a moment, and pick right back up where you left off (just make sure you let us know in your email if we need to edit your video).

Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the Simmons family.

Live Streaming of David’s celebration of life: http://salemdobson.com/eventstream