DONALD LEE SIMMONS

Jan. 12, 1936–June 25, 2026

Donald Lee Simmons, 90,  lifelong resident of Weston County, passed away June 25, 2026. 

He was born on Jan. 12, 1936, and was the youngest of seven children born to Jay Andrew Simmons and Hanna Irene Harms Simmons. 

Donald went to school at the Clareton Country School, then graduated from Newcastle High School. 

He married Carol Ann Snyder in 1956. To this union they had two sons, Lee Arnold and Dale Andrew Simmons. They later divorced. 

In 1990, he met Karen Abas, his partner on the ranch until his death. 

Donald hauled coal for Hazel Niemcyk while in high school and a couple years after. He then went to work for Chick McKay, hauling water to the drilling rigs for a couple of years. After that he worked on the ranch with his dad and brother. After his dad died, he leased the ranch from his mom until her death, at which time he bought the ranch and bought other land and ranched until his death. 

He enjoyed his horses, dogs, and rifle shooing prairie dogs. 

Donald is survived by his partner, Karen Abas; sons, Lee and Dale Simmons; granddaughter, Lakeisha (Pete) Musser; and two great-grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jack and Cleora Simmons; parents, Jay and Hanna Simmons, siblings, Leo Alvin Simmons, Elvin William Simmons, Hazel Irene Niemcyk, Virgil Jay (Eleanor) Simmons, Vernon Dean Simmons, and Lu Ella (Eugene) Mahoney; nephews, Elvin William Simmons Jr., Daniel Ernest Mahoney, and Douglas Jay Simmons; nieces, Linda Deana Simmons and Jamie Matheson. 

Funeral services for Donald will be held July 2, with 10 a.m. viewing at Meridian Mortuary,  2 p.m. service at the Weston County senior center, and burial to follow at Greenwood Cemetery. 

Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice. 

Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Meridian Mortuary, 111 S. Railway Ave, Newcastle, WY 82701 or expressions of sympathy may also be made online at meridianmortuary.com.