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In memory of

Thomas "Oompa" Harvey Simmons

Santa Maria, CA

September 14, 1949 - January 23, 2026

Sep 14, 1949 - Jan 23, 2026

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Thomas Harvey “Oompa” Simmons

Thomas Harvey “Oompa” Simmons, age 76, of Santa Maria, California, passed away on January 23, 2026, lovingly surrounded by his family after his courageous battle with frontotemporal dementia.

Harvey was born September 14, 1949, in Manila, Philippines. He is the son of Thomas Marion Simmons and Pacita Trust Cormen and little brother to his sister Florence.

The family moved to Orcutt, where his father ran a trucking company for several years. There, Harvey attended Orcutt Junior High for K-8 and Righetti High School for his Freshman and Sophomore years. He was celebrated as a Star Player on the baseball and basketball teams throughout his younger years in Orcutt, where he met some of his lifelong friends and made so many great memories growing up.

After his sophomore year, the family moved to Cocoa Beach Florida, where he attended Cocoa High School for his Junior and Senior years. He continued to play basketball and baseball for the Tigers.

After graduating, as luck would have it, on December 1, 1969, his birthdate was the Number 1 draft pick for the Vietnam War, and he was enlisted into the United States Army. Then again as luck would have it, he would be discharged 81 days after being enlisted, due to medical reasons, and was spared being sent to Vietnam as so many of his close friends were not.

His Family moved back to Orcutt, California, and Harvey attended Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California. He then attended Cal State University Northridge (CSUN) in Los Angeles, earning a bachelor’s degree in Sports Medicine. He was a Matador Lettermen as a walk-on. During his time with the Matadors, the Milwaukee Brewers offered him a contract, but he wanted to finish his education.

After graduating from CSUN, Harvey returned to Santa Maria and began working for his father, driving trucks around the seven northwestern states.

Harvey married Michaelle Ruth Rogers on September 11, 1976, in Clark, Nevada. They have enjoyed 49 years of marriage and have made so many great memories together. They stayed in Santa Maria and raised their son, Peter.

After working for his father, Harvey worked for Lucky Stores as a local truck driver. He loved driving for Lucky Stores. So, many wonderful memories and lifelong friends were made there. He was LOVED by those that he worked with and he loved them back. He was a recognized “Safe Driver” with 17 years without an accident before he retired.

Upon retirement, Harvey and Michaelle enjoyed their time together going on trips to Maui, Oahu and visiting their granddaughters in Utah.

He was often called “The Great Harvino” and “Tank” by his friends. Some of the fond memories of and with Harvey include his signature long hair in a ponytail and mustache, ride along in his truck, chillin in the back room with his Lucky family, suntanning on the deck chairs in the back, 4th of July celebrations at Avila Beach, 24th of July Block Party in Herriman, Oompa time with his granddaughters, chillin in Shell Beach watching waves roll in, Surfing, Sunsets on Maui, Oregon Ducks, Watching him play baseball and softball, playing golf on Sunday’s together, ping pong in the garage, “the black room”, vinyl records, volleyball in the backyard at Fat Mom and Fat Dads, BBQ’s at the Ziemba’s, David Gilmour at the Hollywood Bowl, westerns, laughing to Ridiculousness, late nights by the fire, rice and raw egg, copper bracelets, and his Mercedes.

Remaining to cherish his memory is his beloved wife Michaelle, his son Peter, daughter-in-law Sonja, and three granddaughters and grandson-in-law, Jade, Sage, Zoee Belak, and Mike Belak. He will also be cherished by his sister Florence and her husband Mike Aiello, and their children Jon and Tom and their families. He was preceded in death by both his father Thomas and mother Pacita

Harvey also had many life-long friends that he will miss and always cherish the times they had growing up, working together, and enjoying life to the fullest.

Memorial donations in Harvey’s memory may be directed to Righetti High School Baseball, erhs.smjuhsd.org/athletics, The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, www.theaftd.org, or Alzheimer Association, www.alz.org.