Dr. H. Fred C. Simons, the oldest of three children, was born on August 20, 1925 in Chowan County North Carolina to the Rev. Dr. Hughue F. Simons and Annie E. Simons. He departed this life on April 10, 2013 at Rockville General Hospital in Rockville, Connecticut.
Dr. Simons received his early education in the Perquimans County Public Schools and graduated from Perquimans County High School in Winfall, North Carolina.
After graduating from high school, he attended the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State College (NC A&T State University) in Greensboro, North Carolina. Prior to graduating, he enlisted in the United States Army and served during World War II. During his time in service, he married his high school sweetheart, and the love of his life, Alice V. Wright of Edenton, North Carolina whom he had met when his father was pastor of the Pleasant Grove AME Zion Church in Edenton.
After his honorable discharge from the service, he completed his Bachelor's degree at NC A&T College. He taught for a few years in the Beaufort County School District and then returned to NC A&T College to complete a Master's degree in Education and Public School Administration.
Dr. Simons loved the Lord and accepted Him as his personal Savior at a very early age at Bay Branch A.M.E. Zion Church in Belvidere, North Carolina. Bay Branch was dearest to his heart. One of his favorite scriptures was Psalm 91, which he read daily. He served the A.M.E. Zion church in many capacities in both North Carolina and Connecticut. His service included being a Class Leader, Trustee Board member and President of the scholarship committee.
His professional life included being a high school teacher, assistant school principal and high school principal. He retired from the University of Connecticut where he served as a program director, university administrator and Academic and Student Affairs Vice President.
Dr. Simons was at the forefront of the public school integration movement in the state of North Carolina during the mid -1960's. His vision for equal opportunity of all in education continued as he received his Doctorate degree in Higher Education and Administration at the University of Connecticut. He served to improve the status of all minorities at the University of Connecticut and throughout the state of Connecticut. At his retirement, he received the highest honor given by the university; " The University of Connecticut Medal of Honor." That same year, the university Yearbook was dedicated to him and the African American Cultural Center was also renamed in his honor the H. Fred Simons African American Cultural Center.
He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of over 65 years, Alice W. Simons, three cherished children, Freddie C. Simons (Betty) of North Carolina, Gerald G. Simons (Raenell) of New Jersey and Alicia H. Simons Rogers (Bruce) of Connecticut; one brother William W. Simons of North Carolina and one sister Ann Howard of Virginia; Six grandchildren; Craig Simons (Edwina), Fredrika Ellis (Corey), Cynthia Simons, Gerrae Simons Miller (Rhodney), Renée Simons and Allan H.C. Rogers; six great-grandchildren, McCarron, Gavin, Chase (deceased), Raegan Ellis, Christopher and Tiffany Simons; one niece, Simona Simons White (Wayman) and one nephew Quincy J. Howard (Melinda); two grand nieces Renada and Syndey; one sister-in-law, Amy Williams of North Carolina and one brother-in-law, Peter Wright (Gladys) of Pennsylvania and a host of dear cousins, other family members and friends.
Dr. Simons was an avid sports enthusiast. He especially enjoyed baseball; the New York Yankees and the University of Connecticut basketball teams. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, reading and public speaking. He loved people and had many lifelong friends. Throughout the years, he was an active member of many organizations, groups and associations. Our family will miss his care and his constant support, but his legacy of love and devotion will forever impact our lives.
Dr. Simons received his early education in the Perquimans County Public Schools and graduated from Perquimans County High School in Winfall, North Carolina.
After graduating from high school, he attended the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State College (NC A&T State University) in Greensboro, North Carolina. Prior to graduating, he enlisted in the United States Army and served during World War II. During his time in service, he married his high school sweetheart, and the love of his life, Alice V. Wright of Edenton, North Carolina whom he had met when his father was pastor of the Pleasant Grove AME Zion Church in Edenton.
After his honorable discharge from the service, he completed his Bachelor's degree at NC A&T College. He taught for a few years in the Beaufort County School District and then returned to NC A&T College to complete a Master's degree in Education and Public School Administration.
Dr. Simons loved the Lord and accepted Him as his personal Savior at a very early age at Bay Branch A.M.E. Zion Church in Belvidere, North Carolina. Bay Branch was dearest to his heart. One of his favorite scriptures was Psalm 91, which he read daily. He served the A.M.E. Zion church in many capacities in both North Carolina and Connecticut. His service included being a Class Leader, Trustee Board member and President of the scholarship committee.
His professional life included being a high school teacher, assistant school principal and high school principal. He retired from the University of Connecticut where he served as a program director, university administrator and Academic and Student Affairs Vice President.
Dr. Simons was at the forefront of the public school integration movement in the state of North Carolina during the mid -1960's. His vision for equal opportunity of all in education continued as he received his Doctorate degree in Higher Education and Administration at the University of Connecticut. He served to improve the status of all minorities at the University of Connecticut and throughout the state of Connecticut. At his retirement, he received the highest honor given by the university; " The University of Connecticut Medal of Honor." That same year, the university Yearbook was dedicated to him and the African American Cultural Center was also renamed in his honor the H. Fred Simons African American Cultural Center.
He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of over 65 years, Alice W. Simons, three cherished children, Freddie C. Simons (Betty) of North Carolina, Gerald G. Simons (Raenell) of New Jersey and Alicia H. Simons Rogers (Bruce) of Connecticut; one brother William W. Simons of North Carolina and one sister Ann Howard of Virginia; Six grandchildren; Craig Simons (Edwina), Fredrika Ellis (Corey), Cynthia Simons, Gerrae Simons Miller (Rhodney), Renée Simons and Allan H.C. Rogers; six great-grandchildren, McCarron, Gavin, Chase (deceased), Raegan Ellis, Christopher and Tiffany Simons; one niece, Simona Simons White (Wayman) and one nephew Quincy J. Howard (Melinda); two grand nieces Renada and Syndey; one sister-in-law, Amy Williams of North Carolina and one brother-in-law, Peter Wright (Gladys) of Pennsylvania and a host of dear cousins, other family members and friends.
Dr. Simons was an avid sports enthusiast. He especially enjoyed baseball; the New York Yankees and the University of Connecticut basketball teams. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, reading and public speaking. He loved people and had many lifelong friends. Throughout the years, he was an active member of many organizations, groups and associations. Our family will miss his care and his constant support, but his legacy of love and devotion will forever impact our lives.
Dr. H. Fred C. Simons, the oldest of three children, was born on August 20, 1925 in Chowan County North Carolina to the Rev. Dr. Hughue F. Simons and Annie E. Simons. He departed this life on April 10, 2013 at Rockville General Hospital in Rockville, Connecticut.
Dr. Simons received his early education in the Perquimans County Public Schools and graduated from Perquimans County High School in Winfall, North Carolina.
After graduating from high school, he attended the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State College (NC A&T State University) in Greensboro, North Carolina. Prior to graduating, he enlisted in the United States Army and served during World War II. During his time in service, he married his high school sweetheart, and the love of his life, Alice V. Wright of Edenton, North Carolina whom he had met when his father was pastor of the Pleasant Grove AME Zion Church in Edenton.
After his honorable discharge from the service, he completed his Bachelor's degree at NC A&T College. He taught for a few years in the Beaufort County School District and then returned to NC A&T College to complete a Master's degree in Education and Public School Administration.
Dr. Simons loved the Lord and accepted Him as his personal Savior at a very early age at Bay Branch A.M.E. Zion Church in Belvidere, North Carolina. Bay Branch was dearest to his heart. One of his favorite scriptures was Psalm 91, which he read daily. He served the A.M.E. Zion church in many capacities in both North Carolina and Connecticut. His service included being a Class Leader, Trustee Board member and President of the scholarship committee.
His professional life included being a high school teacher, assistant school principal and high school principal. He retired from the University of Connecticut where he served as a program director, university administrator and Academic and Student Affairs Vice President.
Dr. Simons was at the forefront of the public school integration movement in the state of North Carolina during the mid -1960's. His vision for equal opportunity of all in education continued as he received his Doctorate degree in Higher Education and Administration at the University of Connecticut. He served to improve the status of all minorities at the University of Connecticut and throughout the state of Connecticut. At his retirement, he received the highest honor given by the university; " The University of Connecticut Medal of Honor." That same year, the university Yearbook was dedicated to him and the African American Cultural Center was also renamed in his honor the H. Fred Simons African American Cultural Center.
He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of over 65 years, Alice W. Simons, three cherished children, Freddie C. Simons (Betty) of North Carolina, Gerald G. Simons (Raenell) of New Jersey and Alicia H. Simons Rogers (Bruce) of Connecticut; one brother William W. Simons of North Carolina and one sister Ann Howard of Virginia; Six grandchildren; Craig Simons (Edwina), Fredrika Ellis (Corey), Cynthia Simons, Gerrae Simons Miller (Rhodney), Renée Simons and Allan H.C. Rogers; six great-grandchildren, McCarron, Gavin, Chase (deceased), Raegan Ellis, Christopher and Tiffany Simons; one niece, Simona Simons White (Wayman) and one nephew Quincy J. Howard (Melinda); two grand nieces Renada and Syndey; one sister-in-law, Amy Williams of North Carolina and one brother-in-law, Peter Wright (Gladys) of Pennsylvania and a host of dear cousins, other family members and friends.
Dr. Simons was an avid sports enthusiast. He especially enjoyed baseball; the New York Yankees and the University of Connecticut basketball teams. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, reading and public speaking. He loved people and had many lifelong friends. Throughout the years, he was an active member of many organizations, groups and associations. Our family will miss his care and his constant support, but his legacy of love and devotion will forever impact our lives.
Dr. Simons received his early education in the Perquimans County Public Schools and graduated from Perquimans County High School in Winfall, North Carolina.
After graduating from high school, he attended the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State College (NC A&T State University) in Greensboro, North Carolina. Prior to graduating, he enlisted in the United States Army and served during World War II. During his time in service, he married his high school sweetheart, and the love of his life, Alice V. Wright of Edenton, North Carolina whom he had met when his father was pastor of the Pleasant Grove AME Zion Church in Edenton.
After his honorable discharge from the service, he completed his Bachelor's degree at NC A&T College. He taught for a few years in the Beaufort County School District and then returned to NC A&T College to complete a Master's degree in Education and Public School Administration.
Dr. Simons loved the Lord and accepted Him as his personal Savior at a very early age at Bay Branch A.M.E. Zion Church in Belvidere, North Carolina. Bay Branch was dearest to his heart. One of his favorite scriptures was Psalm 91, which he read daily. He served the A.M.E. Zion church in many capacities in both North Carolina and Connecticut. His service included being a Class Leader, Trustee Board member and President of the scholarship committee.
His professional life included being a high school teacher, assistant school principal and high school principal. He retired from the University of Connecticut where he served as a program director, university administrator and Academic and Student Affairs Vice President.
Dr. Simons was at the forefront of the public school integration movement in the state of North Carolina during the mid -1960's. His vision for equal opportunity of all in education continued as he received his Doctorate degree in Higher Education and Administration at the University of Connecticut. He served to improve the status of all minorities at the University of Connecticut and throughout the state of Connecticut. At his retirement, he received the highest honor given by the university; " The University of Connecticut Medal of Honor." That same year, the university Yearbook was dedicated to him and the African American Cultural Center was also renamed in his honor the H. Fred Simons African American Cultural Center.
He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of over 65 years, Alice W. Simons, three cherished children, Freddie C. Simons (Betty) of North Carolina, Gerald G. Simons (Raenell) of New Jersey and Alicia H. Simons Rogers (Bruce) of Connecticut; one brother William W. Simons of North Carolina and one sister Ann Howard of Virginia; Six grandchildren; Craig Simons (Edwina), Fredrika Ellis (Corey), Cynthia Simons, Gerrae Simons Miller (Rhodney), Renée Simons and Allan H.C. Rogers; six great-grandchildren, McCarron, Gavin, Chase (deceased), Raegan Ellis, Christopher and Tiffany Simons; one niece, Simona Simons White (Wayman) and one nephew Quincy J. Howard (Melinda); two grand nieces Renada and Syndey; one sister-in-law, Amy Williams of North Carolina and one brother-in-law, Peter Wright (Gladys) of Pennsylvania and a host of dear cousins, other family members and friends.
Dr. Simons was an avid sports enthusiast. He especially enjoyed baseball; the New York Yankees and the University of Connecticut basketball teams. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, reading and public speaking. He loved people and had many lifelong friends. Throughout the years, he was an active member of many organizations, groups and associations. Our family will miss his care and his constant support, but his legacy of love and devotion will forever impact our lives.
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