Running the Salt Lake City Marathon in Memory of Tom Simmons

The Impact of my Grandfather

This year I’ll be running the Salt Lake City Marathon in memory of my grandfather, Tom Simmons, someone I loved with every ounce of my being. He was the best grandfather I could have ever asked for.

My grandpa was one of the most important people in my life. When I think about him, I think about the way he made people feel. He had an incredible ability to make you feel seen, valued, and loved just by being around him. I was lucky to grow up with that kind of presence in my life.

Some of my favorite memories with him were our fishing trips in Michigan. I was honestly a terrible fisherman. I remember throwing worms into the water instead of using them to catch fish and getting tangled in lines more often than actually catching anything. But my grandpa never cared. He would patiently sit with me, help me bait the hook again, and keep trying to get me on a fish. Looking back, it was never really about the fishing. It was about the time we got to spend together. Those quiet mornings on the water are moments I will always cherish.

Golf was another huge part of my grandfather’s life and something that connected us throughout the years. I was lucky enough to play with him during his last round at Meadowlark Golf Course near LaGrange, Illinois where I grew up. Places like Kokomo Country Club were special to him, filled with memories of golfing, playing cards, and sharing stories with friends.

His love for golf rubbed off on me. In college at the University of Utah, I helped start the Utah Golf Club and traveled around the country playing tournaments with some of my closest friends. I remember breaking 80 in a college tournament for the first time and immediately calling him. He wanted to hear every detail of the round and was so proud. Moments like that meant everything to me.

When my grandfather passed away, I was working as a trip leader for Moondance Adventures in Jackson, Wyoming. Over the Fourth of July we were on a four-day rafting trip off the grid along the Salmon River. We were laughing, playing games, and celebrating the holiday on a beautiful beach while, unbeknownst to me, my grandfather had passed away earlier that day.

A couple days later I found out at a gas station in the middle of nowhere Idaho. I was devastated. That same day was also my grandmother’s birthday, her first without him. I remember sitting outside a Culver’s trying to work up the courage to call her. I didn’t know what to say. But somehow she was the one comforting me.

Just a week earlier, on June 27th, I had felt a sudden urge to call my grandparents while sitting in the airport. We talked about the fly fishing I was doing that summer and about the incredible run the Pacers were on, which reminded us of the Butler teams he loved so much. I’m incredibly grateful for that conversation. It was one last chance to hear his voice.

This summer I also came across a quote from Maya Angelou that perfectly captures how I feel about my grandpa:

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

My grandpa made people feel loved. He made people feel important. And I know I’m not the only person who feels that way.

Running this marathon is my way of honoring him. Alzheimer’s slowly takes memories away, but the love my grandfather gave to all of us will never disappear.

If you’re able, I would be incredibly grateful for your support. Every donation helps support research and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

I’ll be carrying my grandpa Tom’s memory with me every mile of this race.