Gary Ray Simmons

Gary Ray Simmons, age 86, of Walla Walla, passed away on June 8, 2026, at his daughter’s home in Milton-Freewater.

He was born in Milton-Freewater, Oregon, to Glen and Martha (Pommerening) Simmons. He attended local schools, including Mac-Hi, where he met the love of his life, Anita (Toni) Louise Blumhagen, graduating in 1957. They were married on May 25, 1958, for 44 years until her death in 2002.

They lived in Milton-Freewater before moving to Hawaii in 1966, where he managed a NAPA parts store in Honolulu. Upon returning to the mainland in 1969, they settled in Walla Walla, and he managed Twin W Auto Supply.

In 1979, Gary and his son, Greg, started G & G Auto Supply, which later became G & G Automotive Machine Shop, where he was a master machinist. Walking around the local car shows, you would often hear participants say that Gary had a hand in the restoration of many of the cars that were on display. He worked until the age of 84, retiring in 2023.

Nothing was more important to him than family, even helping raise his grandkids. He was very talented and skilled and could build or fix anything. In his junior year of high school, he built a ski boat in shop class. Next came the construction of houses, motor homes, an A-frame cabin at Tollgate, etc., even digging a complete basement under their existing house in Walla Walla.

In the early years, he enjoyed camping and traveling with his family, often frequenting the Oregon Coast and California. He had a love of planes and held a private pilot’s license.

He was an avid snowmobiler, and he loved driving his antique cars, especially his Model ‘T’s”. In recent years, he began cruising extensively and was especially proud of his Princess Cruises Elite status. Some of his favorite destinations were the Caribbean, Hawaii, the British Isles, and the Panama Canal.

Gary belonged to the Blue Mountain Community Church. He was a member of the Walla Walla Historical Auto Club, holding many offices, including President, when the club celebrated its 50th Anniversary. He was a member of the Dayton and Pomeroy Snowmobile Clubs and the Washington State Snowmobile Association (WSSA), serving as a district representative for many years. In 2023, he received the WSSA Snowmobiler of the Year Award.

He maintained a sweet sense of humor to the very end. All the knowledge and talent he had will be greatly missed by his family, as well as by the friends and customers he garnered over the years.

He is survived by his sons, Greg (Debi) of Walla Walla and Jeff (Lisa) of Pasco; and daughter, Lisa McDonald (Ronnie) of Milton-Freewater; sister, Marilyn (Ray) Miller of Gresham, OR; brother-in-law, Butch Blumhagen of Lincoln City, OR; grandchildren, Heidi (Jeremy) Lewis, Corinna (Cody) Davey, Tanner Simmons, Gavin Simmons and Zak Schab; great-grandchildren, Michael Colvin, Kaylee Rae and Kimber Davey, and Tucker Ray Simmons, and many special cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter; his wife; parents; brother, Bill Simmons; son-in-law, Claud McDonald; daughter-in-law, Marci Simmons; and infant great-grandson, Crane Riot Ruchert.

The family would like to acknowledge and thank the amazing Hospice staff for their care and compassion.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Chapel of the Herring Funeral Home in Walla Walla on Friday, June 26, 2026, at 12:30 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to Walla Walla Community Hospice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.