Steve Simmons, the former owner of Colorado Case Company and a longtime friend and supporter of bluegrass music, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Seattle on August 4. He was 57 years of age.
According to his wife, Linda, he had been in good health and spirits, and had returned home that evening after a fun day with friends on the water, sat down at his computer around 10:00 p.m., and died suddenly.
Simmons purchased Colorado Case Company in February of 2005 and ran it until July of 2013. Initially, he ran the business out of his basement but grew the company over that next 8 years to include soft padded gig bags for nearly every imaginable instrument, and high-quality case covers for string, percussion, brass, and wind instruments. He made tremendous inroads with bluegrass players and had many top artists endorsing his Small Dog case covers. Their gig bags were heavily-insulated and capable of withstanding the rigors of touring, without the weight of flight cases.
After selling the company in 2013, Steve and Linda moved from Colorado to Seattle where he worked with the FAST Water Heater Company as VP of Operations and Purchasing Manager. Steve had a degree in chemistry from Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO and an MBA from Regis University in Denver.
He had a life-long love for music and for boating, and was able to spend his last day on earth doing something he deeply loved. He is fondly remembered by a loving family and a large network of friends in the music business.
Linda Simmons shared this last photo she and Steve had taken together with Charles Humphrey, one of the many friends they had made in the bluegrass world. It was snapped after a show by Steep Canyon Rangers with Steve Martin and Martin Short in Seattle.
R.I.P., Steve Simmons.
