I watched the movie Fences with Kendall Ray (Pappy) Simmons in December 2016. We both loved it and said that we should host a movie night and invite the kids and grandkids over to watch it with us to give them a deeper insight into the characteristics of strong, black patriarchs with charismatic personalities. Long story, short - we never hosted that movie night. The motto of men born during the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s and maybe some born during the 1960s could have been “Here for the sole purpose of serving God and Country, and providing for Family and working at having as much fun and money as possible. It was a given that they would be surrounded by women who adored them”. Denzel Washington starred in the role of Troy Maxson. Except for the fact that Troy didn’t have a formal education and he was a blue collar worker - Troy and Kendall were identical twins.

Condolences to every member of Kendall’s (Pappy) family. He was as bright as the sun and the stars and his personality and spirit were too powerful for his light to go out just because his spirit left this temporary host called a body.

I know that he loved God, his family and life and they all loved him. It’s very fitting for him to be buried by his brother Bishop QC Marshall Simmons because when Kendall would say “I love you QC.” QC would always, “I love you more.”

I won’t say goodbye because we shared enough fun times and precious memories to last 100 years. I expect to see you again on the high side of Heaven with so many other loved ones who went before you.  I know you’re up there loud and boisterous and spreading love and cheer and perhaps some concerning behaviors just as you did here.  

hello my name is Ronald Hughes from Graysville AL. want the family ??to know I will miss pappy he truly was a good friend.  I personally cook dinner at my house  for him. I met pappy going to the blues singing in  Greenville Ms. may God bless his family and friends

My name is Jimmie L Hughes. I met Pappy about 15 years ago at a Blues festival in Greenville Ms. From the first time we met we became good friends.  He have come to my house for years as we continue to go to the blues festival. I am going to mist Pappy. I dont have anyone else to help.me drive to the festival any more. RIP Pappy.

My name is Linda Wilson Carter-Gomez, Kendell was a very good friend. I remember him from EMA. He, myself, LeRoy and Bill I think .We use to go and get the food for EMA. Once we were at a CPRS conference and I did Toe, Knee, Chest, Nut. Every time we spoke he remembered that and we would laugh.
RIP “Pappy“

Our sincere condolences to Kendall, Earleane, Tina and the entire Simmons family and friends. We are sorry for your loss. Eternal peace to your Father.  May God watch over your family and bless them with his goodness.

The first time I cross Pappy  Simmons path was in the early 70's at Onetta Harris Center in Menlo Park. Participating in a competitive basketball game. Everybody on my team was calling him the "Old Man",  You gotta "D" him up. Which means Pappy had game. Later as I got to know Kendall, not only did he have game on the courts but he had game also, in life and beyond the courts.
I truly got to know Pappy Simmons when I was working for the City of Daly City Parks & Recreation Department, as a Recreation Coordinator. I attended my very first CPRS State conference in the late '70's where I met Earl Rowland, of Seaside Parks and Recreation, who invited me to meet him at a EMA Social gathering at the conference.
That evening I walk in the social, not knowing anyone, waiting on Earl and "Pappy" Kendall Simmons, who commanded the room, was the first person I met, who welcome me with open arms, introduce me to everyone and gave me their names and their city affiliations. As he and I casually talked, while siping on his *favorite drink*, he told me he worked for the city of Menlo Park. I told him I played a little round ball in a basketball tournament game at Onetta Harris Center... He said "I own that Gym". At that time I didn't know, I was talking to a Basketball legend. He was the "Old Man". Great laughter, smiles and mutual respect was shared between he and I.
This was the beginning of our friendship and learning from my mentor.
I, myself being new in the field of Recreation, he began to inform me of the history of Ethic Minority Association (EMA), where I became a member. To sum up our conversation,  I walked away with this message;

"There is no tomorrow, unless we plant the seed today."

As I stop and thought about the many trial blazers that I met or encounter in my path, "Pappy" Kendall Simmons would be one of three at very top of my list. He became my mentor, a great friend to me and my wife, Annette and any/everyone who cross his path.
He taught me that History will continue be written and that we have to share with one another, have to dedicate and rely on each other, to make sure we take a stand for the voiceless, underprivileged and for what is right.
For those who may remember - James Brown  "Open the door I'll get it myself"
Yes,  Pappy Simmons not only open the doors, he broke through them and the many barriers that stood in his way, to light the path for me and our future generation.
He said,  "We have to unit together", to get what we want and what we deserve. He said he was following  the "old school" leaders and the earlier pioneers who pave the way and help in gaining his opportunities. He also stated,, We have to develop plans and strategies that will help us move mountains that face our future.  Its with this sincere pride and love, for humanity and for our people, that the life of Pappy  Simmons lived.
I ask that we continued support his efforts and his legacy. With the power of our collective thoughts, we can move mountains, so let us not never sink in despair over the obstacles that stand in our path. Rather, let us join hands of collaboration and communicate our needs, share our experiences and leverage our strengths.

I'm going Miss My Mentor, My Friend and the "Basketball Great"
May the life you lived be carried on through the seeds you planted in all our lives.

Kendall "Pappy" Simmons
May the Peace of God, the Joy, the Love you shared and the Blessings that you were given be with us all.

Ike Elliott

Failure is a stepping-stone to greatness. "I AM too motivated by the PROMISE to be aggravated by a problem!"
Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit.
It's never too late to start doing what is Right.

Condolences, thoughts, and prayers to the entire Simmons family. Hearing the news of Pappy's passing has brought back a lot of great memories from years ago playing ball with Kendall Jr as kids. Spent a lot of time at the Simmons household and I'll never forget Mr. Simmons' laugh, a couple butt chewings (I deserved them), but mostly how much he supported me and all the kids. RIP Pappy

When  you had Pappy as a friend, you knew that you had a loyal, trustworthy friend.  He would defend you if you weren't there to defend yourself.  We were friends since kindergarten.  As teenagers, we started a club, calling ourselves The Sophisticated Gents of South Berkeley.  My friend for 75 years.  He was courageous.  Truly a man of honor.  I miss him

From Stephen Chandler:

Hello Kendall:

And hello to your family. 1000 sympathies and quiet tears. The loss of a very big breath. And presence , not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually.

Though he and I have been hundreds of miles apart, and at times thousands of miles apart, across the oceans, in the military and subsequent lives with families and professions, we have always been side by side.

It started almost 70 years ago, when we both started Willard Junior High. We were out on their large dirt playing field, and I must have said something or done something to irritate this rather intimidating large black guy, so he took off after me, to give me a whupping; but I escaped, and from that point on, our friendship grew and melded and the bond strengthened over time. We played basketball together for 6 years, teammates. Always counting on one another. And when I was threatened by any of the hostile teams we played against, Pappy and my teammates surrounded me in a circle as we walked to the buses or through the gym corridors. I was grateful for this protective force, as I was a white guy,  and grateful for their guard. There were not many folks that would mess with Pappy. He was a known force in those parts.

And one of his biggest fans was my mother. When Pappy came home with me and met my rather hesitant mother, a tall brownish hair---greying--, white woman,-----they became fast friends, and to see them both in a hug was heart warming and loving. This relationship remained all of her life, and was always a topic we recalled in our conversations down the road. Whenever they saw each other, they would give each other wonderful hugs. And chat, as all who know Pappy, of course. With many laughs and stories.

I spoke to him 2 days before he died. Who would have thought that in 2 days he would have left for Heaven.  

I would ask for his voice to be recorded and placed somewhere  where all who wished to hear that wonderful bass voice could tune in.

And so, on the Harvest moon, he passed iinto another realm. Heaven harvested this greatly beloved man. My brother from another mother. . My  life has been blessed by this friendship. I am ever so grateful for his presence. We send him forth on wingsl of great love and affection.



Stephen Chandler

I first met Pappy in 1959 while a student at San Jose State University. While serving as Chairman of the California State Parole Board, I would often see Pappy when I went to San Mateo County for parole hearings. We would also see each other at jazz concerts throughout the state. I remember Pappy as a wonderful human being. May he rest in peace.