Stanley C. Simmons : March 24, 1927 ~ November 19, 2022 “Stan will be greatly missed”

Stanley C. Simmons, the son of Glen Dewitt and Irma Carlton Simmons died on Saturday, November 19, 2022. Stan was 95 years old.

He grew up in the orange orchards and dairy farms of rural Southern California. As a teenager, he traveled to Yerington, Nevada to help John and Katherine Hamer on their ranch during WW2. Stan later served in the US Air Force in the South Pacific as a document courier. He was at Hiroshima, Japan three weeks after the bomb dropped.

After his military service, Stan returned to the dairy business in Southern California and married Ethel Patricia Van Norden in 1951. They welcomed two children, Reed and Cheryl. Stan loved to ranch, build and develop. He returned to Yerington and operated a hay ranch on the east side of Wilson Canyon. He was a founding member of the Nevada Hay Growers Association and was one of the first to use sprinklers to irrigate his farm ground.

During these years, he operated the Tahoe Vista Lodge, the Holiday Lodges in South Lake Tahoe and Reno and built the Holiday Lodge in Gardnerville, Nevada.  In the 1970’s he acquired the Lucky Land Company ranch and the historic townsite of Hudson, Nevada. Here, he met his second wife, Leia Marie Hills. They were married in 1979. Together, they welcomed two children, Teiya and Tio. The family spent the years between a ranch in Wallowa County, Oregon and in the Smith Valley, Nevada. Stan and Leia founded the Walker River Resort in 1983 which they continued to operate to the present.

Stan loved to work hard. He loved his family and he was appreciative of those who helped him accomplish his goals. He embraced a forward looking and happy attitude throughout his long life. He is survived by his wife, Leia, four children, Reed Simmons (Mary), Cheryl Simmons, Teiya Gleason (Shane), Tio Simmons (Wendy). Four grandsons, Jed and Chad Horan, Devin and Brooks Gleason. His mother in law, Doryce Hills, brothers-in-law, Gray and Leighton Hills, Sister-in-law, Blair Hills, his dear sister, Carolyn Heller and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Family and friends are invited to sign his online guest book at www.FRFH.net.  Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home, 25 Hwy 208 Yerington, Nevada 89447 (775) 463-2911

Stan will be greatly missed.