Brian Douglas Simmons

Brian Douglas Simmons was born October 13, 1983, to Hal and Cheryl Simmons in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Brian was the youngest of five children. He grew up attending school at Falls Valley Elementary, Sandcreek Middle School, and graduated from Hillcrest High School in 2002. He also took some college courses from ISU for a period of time. 

Brian grew up playing sports. He loved playing basketball, baseball, golf, riding snowmobiles, hunting, and fishing. He was a great athlete. On the basketball court, Brian was a force to be reckoned with. He was very competitive and always loved watching and playing sports. There was nothing he could not do. He was able to buy the ‘72 Chevelle that his older brother, Justin, had restored. Brian loved that car and took such great care of it up until the time he sold it--it was truly his pride and joy. Later in life, he purchased a Dodge Hellcat, a serious muscle car with serious horsepower. Anybody that rode with Brian either loved it or said, Hell NO, NEVER AGAIN because he drove it like he stole it. Brian really loved fast cars and chasing women. 

After high school, Brian served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Tallahassee, Florida mission. When he returned home, he went to work for Anderson Manufacturing for a period of time until he applied and was hired at the INL as a security guard. Brian finished at the top of his class of 40 plus students in his Basic Security Police Officer Training. 

One thing Brian loved so much was music--all types of music. He loved attending concerts; in fact, his last count on attending Kid Rock live was 13 times. Music was therapy to his soul, it made him feel good, and brought peace and happiness to him. His brother, Justin, nicknamed him “Sue” after the Johnny Cash song, “A Boy Named Sue.” Brian loved Johnny Cash, Chris Ledoux, AC/DC, Kid Rock, Aaron Lewis, and so many more. He even loved an occasional mosh pit at hard rock concerts. Brian loved when his cousin, Lee Birch, sang to him. He always told Lee, “Hey, Leonard, what are you going to sing to me?”   

In 2009, Brian and his brother, Cory, had the privilege to attempt a lifelong dream to compete in hill climbing snowmobiles in the Rocky Mountain Snowmobile Hill Climb Association. Brian competed for two seasons, 2009-2010. He qualified each year in the semi pro division to compete at the world championships in Jackson Hole. Brian loved to ride his sled. He loved to ride Indian Creek, Alpine, Island Park, and even up on the family farm where he could chase a coyote, or even an occasional badger. Brian’s love for snowmobiles made it always an adventure going with him. He always made everybody laugh by teasing somebody, making fun of people, or just being his funny self in a joking manner.  

He was great at impersonating other people and always gave people the best nicknames. He admired Michael Jordan and had quite the collection of Air Jordans.

Brian worked at the INL for 16 years total, 2 years as a Security Police Officer and 14 years as a Nuclear Facility Operator. On November 8, 2011, Brian received a high-level radiological exposure to Plutonium-239 and Americium-241 during a work iteration in the Zero Power Physics Reactor Facility (ZPPR).

In the hours and days following this exposure, Brian suffered the effects of Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) or radiation poisoning. Despite the known clinical symptoms and blood markers identifying this potentially lethal situation, Brian’s employer did not treat him and instead sent him home to ride it out.

Unfortunately, Brian would suffer from many of the same physical and mental side effects as the Chernobyl ARS survivors did. By ignoring his clinical symptoms and downplaying his dose level, Brian’s employer saved a lot of money leaving him to pay the cost. Brian’s untreated radiological injuries would ultimately contribute to the circumstances leading to his untimely death.

Anybody that knew Brian knows he took very good care of his body; he was always in tip top shape. Behind that chiseled body was the biggest heart. Brian was a big teddy bear. He always stood up for the underdog or kids getting picked on. He even took matters into his own hands to protect and help kids. He was such a giving person, even right up to the time of his death he was giving gifts to all his neighbors and their kids. Brian was always so generous with kids and others. He always gave his nieces and nephews the best Christmas and birthday gifts. He loved kids and always made them feel special. One of his favorite things to do was give gifts to families in need at Christmas time. Brian loved to help people and he was the type to never let you help him in return. He was a giver, not a taker to all people around him. He truly loved to help people in need.  

In January 2021, Brian moved to Maricopa, Arizona. He loved the Arizona sun and the swimming pool in his backyard, along with the friendships he made there. This is where he lived the remainder of his life. 

Brian and his bright smile and contagious laugh will be deeply missed by his family and close friends. 

Brian is survived by his parents, Hal Simmons and Cheryl Simmons, both of Idaho Falls; sisters, Katherine (Eric) Nelson of Las Vegas, NV and Cheri (Teagon) Smith of Idaho Falls; brothers, Justin (Jessica) Simmons of Murtaugh, ID and Cory (Misty) Simmons of Idaho Falls; 14 nieces and nephews; and many uncles, aunts, and cousins who dearly loved and will miss Brian. 

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Dwayne and ZoAnn Simmons and Lee and Ruth Birch.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 17, 2022, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building located at 4375 E. Sunnyside Road. The family will visit with friends Friday from 6:30-8 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road, and Saturday from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Iona Cemetery. 

Services may be viewed via Zoom:  PassCODE is BoulderCR