James Patrick Simon (October 22, 1924-April 6, 2018) Jim frequently said that he lived a “charmed life”, but we knew the charms were most often of his own making. He had a positive and grateful spirit and made life choices focused on family and doing the right thing. Jim’s parents, Ursula (Kelly) and Victor Simon were devout Catholics who raised their five children in Toledo, Ohio.
Like many families of the era, finances were meager, but Jim’s parents instilled a love of learning and music in their children. Jim had fond memories of his childhood, including sailing on the frozen Lake Erie in a boat he designed and built. Jim attended Toledo Central Catholic High School and then graduated magna cum laude in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame.
Both engineering and Notre Dame were life-long passions. After working at the King Ranch in Texas and on the Saturn V rocket used for Apollo missions, Jim ultimately settled into a long career designing jet engines for GE in Cincinnati. He was awarded several patents for his work.
A Cessna airplane pilot himself, Jim was fascinated with flying and loved being part of the technological improvements in air travel. As for the Fighting Irish, Jim attended football games at least annually for nearly 75 years. In 1998, Jim received the Notre Dame Man of the Year Award.
A member of the glee club at Notre Dame, Jim also enjoyed many club reunions. Singing continued to be a large part of Jim’s life through the All Saints choir, barbershop quartets, or around the piano with his sister, nieces, and friends. Jim and Eileen (Ford) were married for nearly 65 years.
He always felt lucky that Eileen said “yes” to his marriage proposal and honored her the rest of his life. Jim and Eileen carried on the values of Jim’s parents with faith, education, and music being key elements of family life. Jim was thrilled to be a father and grandfather, and his enthusiasm made for a great deal of family fun.
He was an inspiration and role model to each of his six children, and their children. Jim is survived by his brother Daniel and preceded in death by sisters Kathleen (Thompson), Anne (Reeves) and Theresa (Sullivan). His wife Eileen and his children: Celeste (Brian Keith), Michelle (William Slack), James (Lisa Lam), Stephanie, Michael (Katalina) and Kevin (Dana), also survive Jim, as do his six grandchildren: Kelly and Kathleen Bentdahl, Marcella Slack, and Maria, Matthew, and William Simon.
In addition, he was delighted to be a part of the lives of numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members. Jim left the world a better place because of the life he lived and we will miss him. Visitation and the Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, April 14, 2018, at All Saints Parish, 8939 Montgomery Road, Kenwood, Ohio 45236.
Visitation will begin at 9am followed by the funeral at 10:30 am. A Remembrance of Jim will occur shortly before the funeral. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the All Saints Education Fund.
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