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

Alaska bush pilot, airline owner and executive, member emeritus of Alaska Airlines board of directors.

Arrived in Juneau in 1928, employed by Alaska-Juneau Gold Mine as an electrician, worked in Nome for Lomen Commercial Reindeer Co., began flying in 1929, worked for Panhandle Air Transport Co. (PATCO), purchased a PATCO wrecked Stinson and began Alaska Air Transport in 1935, severely injured in crash of Fairchild off Chichagof Island in 1938, Alaska Air Transport merged with Marine Airways to form Alaska Coastal Airlines, Alaska Coastal Airlines merged with Ellis Airlines and Simmons became president of Alaska Coastal-Ellis Airlines which was shortened to Alaska Coastal Airlines, Alaska Coastal Airlines merged with Alaska Airlines in 1967.

From the description of Papers of Sheldon B. Simmons, 1929-1996. (Alaska State Library). WorldCat record id: 42926321