Earl Ralph Simmons, 97, of Upper Milford Township, died Aug. 12, 2025, at DevonHouse Senior Living in Salisbury Township.

Born outside of Nazareth, he was the son of the late Harry William and Florence Gertrude (Cressman) Simmons. He was the husband of the late Eleanor Emily (Schaffer) Simmons for 66 years.

He served in the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Guantánamo, Cuba as an airplane mechanic.

He was a member of the Lower Lehigh Lions Club for 55 years and received the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award in 2020.

He worked at his father’s company, Lloyd’s Motor Co. in Allentown and retired from Mack Trucks after 33 years as an electrician.

He was a union man, a Democrat and a Lutheran.

He enjoyed boats, water skiing and music from jazz music of the Big Bands to the disco music of the Bee Gees. He was kind, a good family man and always had a joke from the Reader’s Digest.

He is survived by children, Susan and her husband, Bernard Valasek, of Coopersburg, Lori, of Shepherdstown, W.Va.; three grandchildren; four great-grandsons. In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by sisters, Dorothy Smith, Helen Reichl; brother, Robert.

Services are private. Arrangements were made by Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Homes, Emmaus. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.BKRFH.com.

Contributions may be sent to: Betty Lou’s Food Pantry, 538 Thomas St., Coopersburg, 18036