John L. Simons |
| Posted 2009-09-01 by Sharon |
| The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ August 5 2009, p. A7 John “L” Simons died on Sunday evening, July 26 at his home in Wickenburg. He was born to Jimmy and Ethel Susan (Honey) Simons on Nov. 23, 1931 at his great-grandfather Billy Simon’s ranch near White Owl, S.D. He was raised near Plainview and Marcus, S.D., and graduated from Faith in 1949 as president of his class. In school he was an avid athlete, actor, singer, dancer, and boxer. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1950 to 1954 on the USS Columbus and served on the helm. He stayed involved in boxing during his time in the military and was a Golden Gloves fighter. John “L” owned a trucking business with his father after the service and following that was a businessman in the Sturgis, Rapid City, S.D., and Gillette, Wyo., areas for many years. During his years in Rapid City he was a member of the South Dakota State Liquor Association, sang in the barbershop quartet, was a proud and longtime member of the Buckaroos and Elks Clubs, and was an experienced auctioneer. He never gave up his love for the sport of boxing and was proud to referee the first professional boxing match hosted in Rapid City. He married Shirley Madison Hassebroek in 1962 and raised four children - Bobby, Randy (Bear), Tina, and Heidi. They lived in Sturgis and Rapid City, S.D., and Gillette, Wyo. Later in life he married Patricia Kuhl and had two stepchildren - Mike and Lori. They lived in Gillette, Wyo.; Denver, Colo.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Deadwood, S.D.; Glendo, Wyo.; and then retired to Wickenburg, Ariz., in 2004. He is preceded in death by his parents Jimmy and Honey Simons, and his brother Galen. He is survived by his wife Patricia Simons of Wickenburg; brother Louie (Phyllis) Simons of Sturgis, S.D.; sisters Nunny Tysdal of Sturgis, S.D.; Bonnie (Jerry) Hunt of Custer, S.D.; and Ting (Volmer) Jensen of Sun Lakes, Ariz.; sons Bobby Simons of Shapopee, Minn.; Randy (Christie) Simons of Los Altos, Calif.; Mike (Mary) Kuhl of Sundance, Wyo.; daughters Tina (Jim) Startz of Deadwood, S.D.; Heidi (Dan) Wasick of Aurora, Colo.; and Lori (Bernie) Van Wey of Phoenix, Ariz. He had nine grandchildren - John “L” (Stefanie) and George Dahlstrom, Alletta and Elliot Simons, Hailey, Joseph and James Wasick, and Courtney and Rachel Kuhn. There will be two memorial services for John “L”, one in Wickenburg on Aug. 15 at the American Legion at 1 p.m. and the other in Sturgis, S.D., following the Motorcycle Rally (location, date and time to be announced next week). |
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