Val J Simmons passed away on February 14, 2026—his 72nd birthday—surrounded by the love of family and a lifetime of meaningful work, friendship, and faith.

Born with a mechanical mind and a generous heart, Val spent his life building, improving, and helping. Early on, he and his father invented and successfully marketed the first plastic snowmobile ski, the Simmons Flexi-ski, an innovation that left its mark on the industry. That spirit of practical ingenuity never left him. He was a natural problem solver—the kind of man who could fix anything and was happiest in his shop, tinkering, improving, and talking through life’s big questions with friends. As one longtime friend said, he was the “tinkerputt king,” blessed to spend countless hours over the decades in that shop “solving the world’s problems.” He will be remembered as a truly great man and friend.

Val was a man of wide and sometimes surprising talents. In high school, he was invited to play viola in the All-State Orchestra. He later competed in indoor archery and won a national amateur title. A gifted snowmobiler, he applied his mechanical ingenuity to make his and others’ sleds lighter and faster. In recent years, he devoted his creative energy to designing aftermarket airgun upgrades and competing in airgun competitions, where he—unsurprisingly—often earned top honors. He brought focus, discipline, and a competitive spirit to everything he pursued.

Forty-five years ago, against all advice, Val and his brother split 2½ acres of land, built their homes side by side, and raised their families together. What some saw as a risk became one of life’s great blessings—decades of shared projects, borrowed tools, family gatherings, and everyday conversations across the yard. Val was not just a brother but one of the best neighbors anyone could ask for.

Above all, Val loved his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Wendy Robinson; his children, Heidie Moon (Rollie), David Simmons (Amy), Thayne Simmons, Wade Simmons (Valli), Hope Kendall (Jake), Holly Warner-Gill (Steve), Valerie Parker (Kyle), and Shad Simmons (Sadee); 33 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. His legacy lives on in each of them—in their resilience, their humor, and their willingness to lend a hand.

Val’s faith was active and joyful. At church, he insisted on serving in the nursery, where he earned the affectionate title “Grandpa Nursery.” He loved every child who came through those doors, and they loved him right back.

A celebration of Val’s life will be held at the Red-brick Canyon Road Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 262 Canyon Road in Providence, Utah on Tuesday, February 17, at 6:00 p.m. Friends and family are warmly invited to attend.

The family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, friends and loved ones share a memory or message in Val’s honor in the online guestbook at Allen Mortuaries.

Val leaves behind a family strengthened by his example, friends who will miss his steady presence and wit, and a community made better because he quietly showed up again and again to help. He will be deeply missed.