Simmons, Sheldon B., 1908-1994.

Pioneer aviator, Shell Simmons was born Oct. 8, 1908, in Clearwater County, Idaho. Simmons was one of Alaska's pioneer aviators, a "mercy pilot" known for his daring rescues. Shell Simmons was a major contributor to Alaskan commercial aviation. In 1935, he started Alaska Air Transport, a commercial air carrier business which merged with Marine Airways in 1939 to create Alaska Coastal Airlines. In 1962, the company joined with Bob Ellis' Ellis Airlines from Ketchikan to become Alaska Coastal-Ellis Airlines, the largest scheduled airline exclusively operating amphibians. Later they merged with Alaska Airlines and Simmons became a board member until 1981 when he was named director emeritus. He died in Juneau, Nov. 16, 1994, at age 86. [From: "Juneau Empire," Nov. 16, 17, 1994.].

From the description of Shell Simmons photograph collection [graphic], 1929-1996. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 55591175

...