Eli L. Simmons

Jerome, Idaho - Eli Lloyd Simmons, 34, of Jerome, Idaho, passed away unexpectedly Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, in Twin Falls, from complications related to brain trauma.

Eli was born Nov. 5, 1977, in Pocatello, to Garfield and Sherry Simmons. In 2002, he married Hillary Gomez in Pocatello, and they were later divorced. They had one daughter, Destri Alizabeth Simmons, who was the apple of his eye.

Eli attended Capital High School in Helena, Mont., and was well known for his hitting ability as a linebacker for the Capital Bruins. He completed his senior year at Gilbert High in Arizona. After high school, Eli attended Scottsdale Community College on a football scholarship. He worked at Albertson’s for many years and later worked at various constructions jobs. Eli loved sports and was an avid Notre Dame and Redskins fan. He also loved fishing. In 2010, Eli met his fiance, Elaine Gunnell, who shared his love for sports.

Eli is survived by his fiance, Elaine Gunnell of Jerome; daughter, Destri Simmons of Twin Falls; father and stepmom, Garfield and Elayne Simmons of Montana City, Mont.; mother, Sherry Thornock of Rigby; Grandma Marion Simmons of Butte. Mont.; half brother, Ozzie Rosenleaf of Butte, Mont.; half-sister, Mandy Simmons of Salt Lake City, Utah; stepbrother, Hayden Smoot of Yuma, Ariz.; aunts and uncles, Vicki Burns of Gilbert, Ariz., and Sheri and Gary Hughes of St. Louis, Mo.; two cousins, Neil and Scott Welsh of Twin Falls; and numerous other cousins. Eli is preceded in death by half brother, Gar Rosenleaf; and grandparents, Lloyd “Blackie” Simmons, and Carl and Bonnie Thornock.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at South Hills Baptist Fellowship, One Jackson Creek Road in Montana City, Mont. A reception will follow. Interment will take place at a later date at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Butte, Mont.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in trust for Destri Simmons at Mountain West Bank, 1225 Cedar St., Helena, MT 59601.

The Simmons family would like to thank the ICU nurses and doctors at St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center in Twin Falls, Idaho, and their church family at South Hills Baptist Fellowship.