“I am forever proud, forever grateful for that young man”: Late Winterboro Student-Athlete Kenny Simmons’ Father, James Simmons, Pay Heartfelt Tribute

Kenny Simmons' parents have yet to provide details about his funeral and memorial services.

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Kenny Simmons, an Alabama native and football standout at Winterboro High School, passed away on Monday, September 1, 2025, leaving his parents, siblings, and loved ones devastated.

While the actual reason for his untimely demise hasn’t been disclosed yet, according to a family member, Kenneth ‘Kenny’ was fighting for his life at UAB Hospital Trauma Center in Birmingham, Alabama, for days.

Kenny Simmons touched the lives of many with his exceptional athletic skills and his cheerful, kind nature.

He played multiple sports, including football, basketball, and ran track at Winterboro High School, and led his team in several victories.

Winterboro High School took to its official social media to express its sorrow at losing a student-athlete and extend heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time.

The post reads:

“It is with broken hearts that we share the devastating news of the loss of one of our beloved students, Kenny Simmons, a cherished senior and dedicated athlete. His presence at Winterboro High School made all who knew him smile. His kindness, laughter, and kind spirit has left a lasting impact on our students, faculty, and the community.”

Winterboro High School

In addition to being an exceptional athlete, Kenny Simmons was a great son to his parents.

While very little information about his mother is available as she prefers to maintain a low profile, his father, James Simmons, took to his social media to pay tribute to the late Kenny Simmons.

James Simmons wrote:

“God. Thank you for trusting me with this kindred soul. It was truly a privilege to be his guidance, his mentor, his safe space, his friend, his reassurance, his endearment…his Father.”

James further added that he is forever proud and grateful for having Kenny as his son and stated:

“I knew that my son was loved, but apparently I was wrong because Kenny was adored…and I love that for him…and I am forever proud, forever grateful for that young man. He fought HARD to stay with us in the flesh, he really did.

Similarly, James requested people to keep Kenny’s twin Jordan and mom in prayers and stated that both he and Kenny’s mother are exhausted and tired and are currently grieving the loss of their beloved son.

Lastly, he appreciated everyone for their continuous support and prayers.

Late Kenny Simmons’ Father, James Simmons, Is a Certified Personal Trainer

James Simmons played a pivotal role in Kenny Simmons’ athletic journey, guiding him and serving as his first coach.

Furthermore, Kenny’s father, James, is a certified personal trainer with nearly two decades of experience in the field.

He currently serves as the brand ambassador of 1st Phorm International, a company that offers premium muscle-building supplements based in Greater St. Louis.

Simultaneously, James serves as the logistics team lead and planning overseas specialist for Volkswagen of America, Inc. in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He has been working with the company since 2015.

Prior to this, James served as the personal trainer at Healthy You Fitness Center and D1 Sports Training in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

He also served as a personal trainer at Gold’s Gym for nearly a year and at The Rush Fitness Complex for three years.

A native of Sylacauga, Alabama, James Simmons earned his degree in General Studies from Ashford University in 2017.

In Case You Didn’t Know

  • Around two dozen seniors gathered at Winterboro High School to honor the late Kenny Simmons on Monday, September 1, 2025.
  • He was set to graduate in 2026.
  • The Talladega County Coroner, Shaddix Murphy, confirmed that his death appears to be from natural or non-criminal causes.
Suruchi
Suruchi
Suruchi is a business management student with a strong passion for writing, particularly when it comes to sports. She loves creating articles and blogs that explore various aspects of the sports world. With a curious mind and a love for both academics and creativity, she constantly seeks to expand her knowledge and share her insights through her writing.

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