NATCHEZ — Memorial services for John Michael “Mike” Simonton, who died in Jackson Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, will be announced at a later date by Laird Funeral Home in Natchez.

Mike died with his wife and daughter by his side after fighting a years-long battle with non-small cell lung cancer.

He was a 1971 graduate of Cathedral High School and received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. Since graduating college, Mike spent his entire career working in the oil and gas industry. He owned his own chemicals company servicing oil and gas wells throughout Mississippi and Louisiana.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and loved cooking, music and spending time with his family and grandchildren.

Mr. Simonton was preceded in death by his mother, Della Biglane Simonton, and his father, Henry Simonton, of Natchez.

Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Stephanie Simonton, and his daughter, Kara Simonton-Olsen and husband, Jon Olsen, of Dallas; his two grandchildren Nola Gray Olsen and Holden Randall Olsen; one brother, Henry Simonton of Denver; two sisters Rosa Lee Eidt of Sheldon, S.C., and Margret Guido of Natchez; and a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins.