Eugene Maynard “Gene” Simmons, 89, of Hillsboro, peacefully passed away at his home Monday, July 20, 2026.
Born October 19, 1936, in Renick, he was a son of the late John David and Clara Simmons.
He attended first through 12th grades at Renick, where he never missed a single day of school. He then went on to play baseball at Potomac State College; graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in History and obtained a law degree from WVU.
Gene had many major passions in life. His greatest passion was his love of farming and agriculture – he was a farmer for his entire life. He loved raising animals and crops and was actively involved in 4-H and FFA in his younger years. He bought and sold several farms and tracts of land over the years, and enjoyed developing and improving many of these areas.
Another passion was his love for the practice of law. His storied legal career spanned over an impressive six decades in private practice, and as a prosecuting attorney. He loved the court- room, the courthouse, and most everyone who worked in the legal world. Gene was an avid reader of anything he could get his hands on, from The Pocahontas Times to The State Journal to shelves of legal books in his office.
Next was his love of sports. He loved every single sport – from baseball to football, from basketball to soccer, and track and field to skiing, golf, tennis and softball. Gene may have very well set the lifetime record for attendance at Pocahontas County High School and Greenbrier East sporting events. He was always incredibly active and, on the move, and he liked to encourage youth to strive to be their best.
Gene was actively involved in the Marlinton Rotary Club receiving the prestigious Paul Harris award. He was a member of Oak Grove Presbyterian Church and served in the U.S. Army.
He will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy Loudermilk; and stepdaughter, Amy Widney.
Eugene is survived by his wife of 45 years, Linda Foe Simmons; three sons, David, and wife, Allison, Dustin and Daniel; six beloved grandchildren, Jersey Simmons (21), Ronnie Simmons (19), Evelyn Simmons (10), Rhett Simmons (8), Juliette Simmons (5), and Ava Grace Fullen (4).
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 30, 2026, at Oak Grove Presbyterian Church in Hillsboro, with Pastor Julian Rittenhouse and Pastor Andrew Rice officiating.
Interment with Military Honors by the U.S. Army and the Pocahontas County Veterans Honor Corps will follow at Morningside Cemetery at Renick.
The family will receive friends from noon until 3 p.m. at the church.
Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be shared at WallaceandWallaceFH.com
