Lamar Simmons

Lamar Simmons, 92, died at 3 p.m. on June 20, 2013. A rock n roll radio pioneer, Simmons was CEO of the top 40rated radio station WLCSAM 910, which was the first rock n roll radio station in Baton Rouge. WLCS was known in the radio industry for its adventurous community promotions and was also featured in a story in Life magazine for one of its promotions inviting Aliens from Outer Space to land at City Park Lake. Simmons and his partners owned four radio stations: WLCSAM and WQXYFM in Baton Rouge, KQXYFM in Beaumont, TX, and WWUNAM in Jackson, MS. During his radio career, Simmons attended Harvard Universitys Broadcast Management School in Boston, MA, and was awarded the Pete Golsby Award by the Baton Rouge Ad Club. He was a member of the Baton Rouge Rotary Club. After selling the radio stations, Simmons took up running and ran in dozens of area road races. He enjoyed fishing, traveling and playing golf. Simmons became a weekend farmer in 1968 when he purchased a farm north of Clinton. For several years he raised Charolais and mixedbreed cattle and kept a vegetable garden at the farm. Simmons grew up in north Baton Rouge and attended Istrouma Baptist Church until he went into the Marines at the beginning of World War II. He served in the Pacific and participated in many of the major offensives in the Pacific, including Bougainville, Guam and Iwo Jima. A graduate of Istrouma High School, he received his degree from LSU in Mass Communications from President George W. Bush in 2004. Simmons, oldest son of the late Lillie Belle and Shelton Simmons, is survived by his wife, Annie Walker Simmons son, David Lamar Simmons Sr. and wife, Tommy, Waleska, GA daughter, Carol Anne White daughter, Janis Marie Swetman and husband, Dan daughterinlaw, Tobey Miller Simmons, Mentone, AL eight grandchildren, David Lamar Simmons Jr., Dallas, TX, Carl Simmons, Marietta, GA, Katie Swetman, New Orleans Anna White Viger Mollie White Euhus, Evanston, WY Lisa Swetman, Washington, D.C. Lauren White Keith, Fayetteville, NC and Shelby Swetman, Tyler, TX grandchildren, spouses and seven greatgrandchildren. Simmons was also close to his wife Annies son, Tony Walker and his wife Judy and their children, Drew and Meg and granddaughters, Brandi Palmer and Gina Mills. Additional family members include Simmons brothers, Gene Simmons and wife Gloria, and Jim Simmons and wife June. Simmons was preceded in death by his parents first wife and mother of his children, Wessie Olivia Harvey Simmons son, Steven Perry Simmons soninlaw, Charles White and brother Shelton Simmons. Visitation will be held at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, LA on Saturday, June 22, 2013 at 10 am until funeral service at 11 am and will be conducted by Pastor Herman Cowan. Interment in Resthaven Gardens of Memory. Visit www.resthavenbatonrouge.com to sign the online guestbook.

Visitation

Resthaven Funeral Home
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Saturday, June 22, 2013
10 am11 am

Service

Graveside

Resthaven Gardens of Memory
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Saturday, June 22, 2013
11 am

Cemetery

Resthaven Gardens of Memory
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816