Douglas Loeb Simon, age 58, died in his home on July 25, 2012 in the arms of his wife Debbie and daughter Kenndall.
Those of you who have come here to pay respects already have memories of your relationship and experiences with him. We hope he touched your life in a way that leaves you with a laugh, a warm feeling or a meaningful experience. His hobbies, accomplishments and occupation were just a part of what made Doug who he was, but it was his private life as a father and husband that, in our opinion, made him stand the tallest.
Doug took on the role of husband and father with eagerness and pride. He worked long hours with rarely a complaint in order to give us everything we needed or wanted, and when not working, he gladly emptied his “honey-do pot.” He never made us feel as though he would rather be doing anything else. He never stopped growing and learning in order to continue to better himself, and made us feel so special and cared for with his generous compliments, kind words, wise advice, and gentle understanding. His strong shoulder was always there for us to lean on. His humor was sly and he possessed the creative ability to offer the perfect analogy for any given situation…a gift we always truly loved. He was our very best friend and we were his. He brought a smile home each night for family dinner followed by something fun: a movie, game, arts and crafts, bike riding, roller blading, star gazing, fishing, shopping, frisbee in the park…you name it, he was more than happy to do it with us, as long as we were all together. He was the kind of husband and father every woman and child would be lucky to have. He had a trusting, sincere, kind, honest nature with an astonishing ability to deal with hardships. He set goals and stayed his course with admirable strength and tenacity. We will always love him, miss him, admire and respect him. We were so lucky to have found him and earned his love. Life will never be the same without him and no one will ever take his place. He will be missed more than either of us can express.
-Debbie and Kenndall Simon
Doug’s ashes will be scattered. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions in his honor to the American Cancer Society.
Debbie and Kenndall, My deepest sympathy be with you both. It is truely beautiful what was said in your husband and fathers obiturary. You have all been truely blessed to have each……………………….My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during this difficult time.
Love to you both,
Leslie and Wes Baranieski
Cold Lake, Alberta Canada
What a wonderful tribute. I always knew that Doug was special from the way Kendall talked about him.
i will miss talking to you bro. hope to see you later down the line. you where the best thing that ever happened to my sister. you our in my thought and prayers. for ever.
Thank you Debbie and Kenndall for the beautiful tribute and for providing us with the story of Doug’s last moments. He was very lucky to have you in his life and I wish you peace in knowing how important you were to him. Doug once told me that as long as he had you he was happy and I am grateful his last day was so peaceful. Love, Andy
Doug was a great brother and wonderful husband and father to you and Kenndall. He was always there to help a friend in need and will truely be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Kenndall & Chris.
Doug is my brother and while we had lived in different cities for the last 26 years (and only saw each other twice in that time)-we had history growing up together and then working side by side in the family biz for a decade in the 80′s.
He was completely selfless and you rarely heard the word “no” or “I cannot help you” uttered from his lips.
Yet his life changed when he met Debby and a very young Kenndall.
Their dedication to each other was one for the ages and he adored both her and Kendall.
Quite frankly I did not know he had that in him, yet was thrilled he and Debby were truly such kindred spirits.
So he did lead a full life as noted in his obit and for this we are grateful and grateful for Debby and Kenndall as well.
I know he is in a new resting place now and looking down at all of us with that Doug Simon smile.
And so it is……….
Doug was truly one of a kind. A man that would go above and beyond to make sure that those that he cared about were happy and at the same time fulfilled. He never missed an opportunity to help out those in need. He loved his toys, his movies, and most importantly his wife and child. I only hope that I can be half of the father and husband that Doug was. Doug, we miss you.
Debbie, Kendell and the Simon family, my prayers are with you during this difficult time. I will always remember Doug as loving, thoughtful and genuine, with a wonderful sense of humor. Every time I saw him he was smiling and making the most of each day. He was so happy and proud to have a wonderful family, which I know was a comfort to him throughout the years and especially when it meant the most. I was blessed to have Doug in my life and will always remember him for the wonderful man he was…my deepest sympathies.
I worked for Doug for 21 years. He was hard working and the glue that held the co. together. He always had an answer for all my question. Debbie and Kenndall there were many times he expressed how much he loved you both. He will be missed very much. My thoughts and pryers are with you both.
Denise
My deepest sympathy to you both. Doug was a great guy and will be so very missed by all of us.. I can still see his smile.. The Doug Simon smile… I thought of him often and wondered and would ask others how he was. Thank you for sharing his last day with us. Thinking of you both and sending prayers for comfort during this very difficult season in your lives.
Debra Weber
DeSoto,Mo
Doug was my baby brother. He was always gifted with his hands.I can remember walking into his room when he was a kid and some contraption he had created would light up and make noise.He was a gentle soul and comfortable with his own company.He fell madly in love with his soulmate Debbie and lovingly raised Kenndall as his own.I remember how he loved to vacation in his house on wheels and include all the pets (parrots too )in the families adventures. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to spend enough time together before he died and I will always regret that.He was courageous and uncomplaining during the course of his illness and I am grateful to Debbie and Kenndall for the amazing care and tremendous love they showed Doug during his illness and always.
DOUG WAS MY BROTHER FOR 58 YEARS. I’VE BEEN THINKING A GREAT DEAL ABOUT HIM LATELY. HE WAS ALWAYS THERE IF I NEEDED HIM. HE WAS MY COMPUTER IT MAN AS WELL AS MY HANDYMAN.
ONCE, BETWEEN HIS TWO MARRIAGES, DOUG AND I TOOK A CRUISE TOGETHER. WE SNORKLED, GAMBLED AND TOURED TOGETHER. WE TALKED A ND REALLY GOT TO KNOW EACH OTHER.
I KNOW THAT DEBBIE AND KENNDALL WERE THE LOVES OF HIS LIFE. THANK YOU BOTH FOR TAKING SUCH GOOD CARE OF HIM.
I LOVE AND MISS YOU DOUG. SAY HI TO DAD AND OUR OTHER LOST RELATIVIES FOR ME. BE HAPPY.
I’ve known Doug for 33 yrs. The first 2 was thru my working at and his playing at Burnham’s Opera House. Those were some FUN times that I will not elaborate on! The last 31 yrs. we have worked together at St.Clair Corporation. Whether good times or bad times Doug and I were always able to listen to each other, agree or agree to disagree on whatever the issue, and maintain a mutual respect for one another. Work places develop relationships that are hard to define at times and you don’t realize or appreciate them for what they are. I have lost a co-worker that I used for advice and a sounding board, but more importantly, I have lost and will miss my Friend.
Debbie and Kendall- thank you for sharing Doug’s experiences and joy for life with us. He truly “had it all” with you two at his side and I know he will always be watching over you. The great times we shared in our teens and twenties are as fresh in my mind as ever-he was a true “mensch”!
old friend Ricardo
Oh Debbie I have been thinking about you and Doug since last April every day thinking of calling. Tonight I decided to google you and I found this. My heart goes out to you. I hope you and Kendall are doing ok. Please contact me. Marilyn