James Thomas Simmons

James (JT or Tom) Thomas Simmons 76 of Vidor, Texas and St. Ignace, Michigan died after a long illness on November 16, 2018. He is survived by his beloved wife Sharon and her children Jason Dupree and Robin Gilmore, his children, son James Simmons and daughter Christy Huntzberry, sisters Bonnie Simmons Butts and Brenda Simmons Knight, brother Sherman Simmons, numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. JT was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and lived in Simmons Settlement, Mackinac County, MI, before moving to St. Ignace in the early 1950's. JT was a Detective Sargent from 1966-1973 with the St. Ignace Police Department in Michigan and he was the Liaison Officer with the Governors Commission Drug and Alcoholism for the State of Michigan from 1968-1973. JT worked as an iron worker with Iron Workers Union Local 125 for 15 years from 1968-1983. As program director for Lake Charles Memorial Hospital and Alvin Community Hospital he developed two successful Dual Diagnostic Treatment programs focusing on adult and adolescent care and established the Recovery Center and Day Treatment Program individualized to the patients needs, he also developed a Psychological Chemical Development unit in Alvin Community Hospital. JT implemented a co-joint therapy program designed to treat patients and spouses at the same time. He was a co-owner of Genisis Health Management an established Gero/Psych units in 40 hospitals in 7 states, until he sold the company and retired in 1996. JT had a received his B.A., Criminal Justice from the University of Michigan and his M.A., Social Work in 1988 from the University of N. America. The family has asked that there be no flowers or donations made. Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor. A memorial service is planned at a later date in Michigan.