August_5: Celebrate Mahlon Simmons

August_5: Celebrate Mahlon Simmons not only honors a remarkable father—it reveals the unwavering strength of a man whose actions still speak louder than words. Even now, well into his eighties, Mahlon Simmons shovels snow for his neighbors. He builds homes for families through Habitat for Humanity. He tutors his grandkids in math, and he counsels others through life’s tougher questions.

August 5, 2025

August_5: Celebrate Mahlon Simmons, a legacy built from Integrity, Action, and Purpose. a legacy built on integrity, action, and purpose. This tribute honors a father while uncovering the steady, unshakable strength of a man who gives—fully, freely, and without hesitation.

A Retired Quality Manufacturing/Robotics Test Engineer for Caterpillar Tractor – USA and Mexico.
Oldest member of the Dickinson College Marching Band
Livingston County Election Judge for as long as I have lived.
Retired US Army stationed in Germany

This is my father. More than that, he represents the kind of man the world still longs for—steady, principled, and committed to action. Rather than speak loudly, he shows up. While others hesitate, he steps in.

Through every season, his integrity holds. Despite challenge or change, he stays grounded. With quiet strength, he uplifts. With consistent effort, he leads.

He never seeks attention. Instead, he lets action speak. His impact becomes legacy—earned, not claimed.

Ultimately, he models what leadership should be: grounded in service, powered by character, and remembered through the lives he touches.

And here’s why that matters:

Over 80 now, Dad still volunteers time for Habitat for Humanity and travels often to Michigan to help my little brother on his homestead design project. He teaches a youth program out at Humiston Woods in Pontiac.

“Homes are made of wood and nails. Communities are made of heart and hands. Volunteers bring both.”
— Jonathan Reckford, CEO, Habitat for Humanity International

According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, older adults who volunteer at least 100 hours per year enjoy better physical health, lower rates of depression, and stronger social networks. In fact, a 2024 study from Washington University found that consistent volunteerism reduces biological aging markers—even more so among retired men. As economic uncertainty and housing insecurity rise, senior volunteers like Mahlon provide both essential labor and profound human connection.

🏗️ The Blueprint of a Life That Builds

https://www.instagram.com/p/DM-RrxtxrIk

From Grocery Store Grit to Global Citizenship

Mahlon Simmons learned hard work early—stocking shelves in his father Delaine “Simmie” Simmons’ grocery store in Fairbury, Illinois, where community meant everything. That same spirit followed him into Army service in Germany as a mechanic, into his career as an electrical engineer and robotics consultant, and into the very home he literally built with his own hands for his family after long shifts at Caterpillar.

Dad embraced green building long before it became a trend. He taught us to build with purpose, to create with imagination, and—above all—to never let what we didn’t yet know keep us from learning, trying, and innovating. Every beam and board in our home reflects that philosophy. The materials mattered—but even more so, the meaning behind them.

The foundation of our home was built not just from wood and stone, but from heart, community, and countless stories rooted in the Midwest. In the living room, an exposed railroad tie stands proudly—not just as a structural element, but as a symbol of grit and movement. Nearby, reclaimed wood from a beloved local barn—once the backbone of farm life—finds a second life in our walls, giving memory new meaning. Through Dad’s hands, what others saw as scrap became legacy.

Music, Mentorship, and Midnight Nails

On Saturdays, he sang under the stars with his Gibson acoustic flattop guitar. During the week, he helped with 4-H, taught Parliamentary Procedure, coached softball, and reviewed homework before putting on work clothes to continue building their house—often past midnight.

Dad taught us that music isn’t just sound—it’s the fabric of life. It weaves through our memories, binds us to one another, and speaks where words fall short. From an early age, he showed us how every note carries meaning, every lyric holds a story, and every melody echoes generations.

On warm summer nights under wide Midwestern skies, he filled the air with the stirring songs of folk legends like Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, and Bob Dylan—music that questioned, comforted, and connected. Just as effortlessly, he brought the raw truth of classic country into our lives, with the gravel and grace of Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Hank Williams Sr. Their ballads—tales of roads traveled and hearts broken—taught us resilience and rhythm.

And when the moment called for soul and spirit, he reached for the blues. The heartfelt grit of Mississippi John Hurt, the soaring soul of B.B. King, and the powerful presence of Odetta filled our home, reminding us of struggle, strength, and sacred roots.

Through every genre, every chord, and every story, Dad shares a truth we still carry: that music is legacy, emotion, and a language of the heart.. Dad still volunteers with the Pontiac Community Band, plays for the “old folks” in the local nursing homes and plays banjo on the floats and volunteers at the Bluegrass festivals and the Thresherman Reunion

💪 Why Purpose Never Retires

“Older adults bring unmatched skills and commitment to volunteer service—and they thrive because of it.”
— Atalaya Sergi, Director, AmeriCorps Seniors

The Social Value of Senior Service

Stronger Communities: Habitat for Humanity reports that every home built increases school attendance, community stability, and employment.
Healthier Volunteers: Seniors who serve experience 43% lower depression rates and significantly longer lifespans (AARP, CNCS).
Smarter Spending: Every hour of skilled volunteer labor saves nonprofits $31.80, according to Independent Sector’s 2025 rate.

What We Learn from Men Like My Dad

His life teaches us: real strength shows up, serves well, and leaves things better.

“Volunteerism isn’t extra. It’s essential to the human economy.”
— Angela Williams, CEO, United Way Worldwide

Dad models effective humanity. These moments aren’t random acts—they’re repeated choices. Leadership, not likes. Substance, not spotlight.

In a noisy world, quiet builders like Mahlon create what endures. They act with care, lead with character, and build with purpose.

Say the hard thing—when it’s right.
Do what matters—especially when no one’s watching.
Use what you’ve got—resourcefulness beats perfection.
In Hard times, remember to keep going. Finish what you start—integrity lives in follow-through.
Keep learning—curiosity fuels progress.
Give freely—without ego or agenda.
Stand steady—when others fold

✨ A Final Word: Celebrate and Follow