I'll never forget the day I first laid eyes on Kimberly Ann Simmons. Her resume was one of several on a growing stack of those seeking what I still consider to be the most important writing job at any small community newspaper in America.
Sports editor. One of the Standard's closest and most powerful links to the community at large, and certainly one of the most demanding reader audiences on the planet.
If you don't believe me, just ask anyone in the newsroom who has ever taken a call from an angry parent or grandparent whose "star" athlete's name was misspelled in a sports story. And trust me, it matters not if it was a brief on a T-ball game or special coverage of a state championship playoff game, names are everything; it's what a good local newspaper does best and still better than anyone else.
These thoughts, those concerning how difficult it was going to be to find an individual worthy of this talk, were passing through my mind as Kim walked though my office doorway almost eight years ago.
Her resume was very brief - our conversation was very long.

As I recall, we discussed sports coverage for about ten minutes, and we talked about people for about an hour. At one point in this intensely personal conversation, she told me about the recent death of her son, Jason, and how tough it still was coping with the loss of "Jay." I was overwhelmed with her personality and her passion. Her generous nature and her unselfish desire to help others.

Oh, and yes, her love of sports and competitive spirit were also in abundant supply.

I will never forget her reaction when I offered her the job. She stood and couldn't help but notice tears beginning to well in her eyes.
"I hope I'll be able to do it," she said as we embraced for the first time. She was so concerned that a flood of memories - Jay memories - would come rushing back when she rejoined the local sports scene. It was to be the first of many mutually empowering and encouraging hugs we shared over the years.

Of course, as things turned out, not only was Kim Simmons "able to do it," she managed to do it better than anybody ever did. Today the proof of this can be found in the hearts and minds of the thousands of individuals who have been so deeply touched and blessed by words, wisdom and wonder provided by this precious individual.

I remember sharing her profound joy and surprise the day she learned she was named grand marshal in the Tiger Homecoming parade. It meant so much to her because the students elected her to this distinguished position. To Kim it was always about the kids.

But to me, today, it's all about Kim. All about how Patty and I wish we could have added just one more precious moment to our special collection of Kim Simmons memories.
We, like you, will miss her profoundly. The world needs more individuals like Kim - we simply can't afford to lose any more of the good ones.

And just as you in Excelsior Springs, Missouri and Patty and I in Tarpon Springs, Florida are able to look to the heavens and see the same moon and stars, I'll bet if we gaze long enough we will notice a new twinkle.

In fact, I'm sure of it, because Heaven just couldn't wait to share the warm, bright essence of Kim Simmons with its everlasting inhabitants.

By Jim Bouldin
former publisher of the Standard