John Charles Simonds
February 24, 1954 – March 13, 2023
John was born in Pasco, Washington, as an only child to Ralph and Mildred Simonds. He grew up in Kennewick, graduated from Kamiakin High School in 1972, and put in his service for the U.S. Navy.
John gravitated to professions that helped others. He saved lives as a Kennewick Firefighter and Paramedic. His kids remember their dad bringing the new family dog, a Dalmatian named Queenie, home on a fire truck. He then progressed into a Safety Professional where he taught CPR and First Aid classes while supervising dangerous asbestos abatement projects. In his late 50s, he decided to go back to school and earned a degree in Construction Management at age 61. He even made the President’s Honor Roll. John used these new skills and managed his own General Contractor business “Island Handy” with help from his son, Charlie.
During his youth, John was a ball-shagger at the old Sanders-Jacobs Field where the Atoms, Braves, and Angels played. His fond memories of attending local ball games led to organizing a grass roots effort to develop a multi-purpose outdoor stadium in the Tri-Cities capable of hosting a professional minor league baseball team. John petitioned and collected over 10,000 signatures and eventually the Tri-Cities had a new baseball field and a new minor league team, the Posse (now the Dust Devils).
John was always passionate about his community and this passion drove him to activism and local politics. He ran for Kennewick City Council in the 90s and although he didn’t win, he continued to be involved nonetheless. In 2021, he was elected Fire Commissioner on Vashon Island, his home for the last 14 years. During this time, John fought to increase firefighter staffing.
John loved camping, fishing, going to concerts, playing softball, and coaching Little League Baseball. He had a deep love for music and dreamed of one day organizing a Blues Festival for Vashon.
John was preceded in death by his father Ralph Simonds. He leaves behind daughter Miranda, son Charles, and their stepbrother Aaron Bond.
If his kids could pass along years of dad- lecturing they would say: take care of your teeth and ensure your home smoke detectors are well-placed and properly working.
