Kenneth Lee Simonson

Ken "Kenny" Simonson, October 24, 1948 - February 14, 2024

Kenny, as his family knew him, his friends knew Ken, Slim, his grandkids knew Pops, Cheese Monster and Goofy Grandpa, joined his beloved bride on Valentine's Day 2024. He was overwhelmed with grief after Ginger passed just weeks prior. It is difficult to write a memorial for him after just losing our mother. Life is not always fair. As we try to make sense of this, only one thing makes sense. Life is about love. Kenny lived for love.

If you have ever had someone open a door for you, help carry a bag to your car, pick up your purse belongings when they spilled, say hello to you as a stranger with a genuine smile, hear someone say "thank you for your service," or just make you believe there is good in the world, then you met our dad. The world was his best friend.

Kenny was raised in the great and beautiful state of Iowa. A proud Hawkeye fan, he enjoyed summers with family on the farm, listening to stories from his cousins and causing a raucous. He enjoyed causing trouble with the police, especially with his car racing. Thankfully his amazing sisters did their best to keep him in line. While this didn't always work out, he had great brothers to get through the consequences with.

After proudly serving our country, he returned home. While visiting friends, he heard what he thought was a buffalo moving in the apartment above. It was actually his sweet Virginia. Within weeks, he asked her to marry him. She said she would consider it. After 48 years together, she was still considering it. Kenny was always romantic. He said Ginger was more beautiful at the end of her life than any other day. He sat by her bedside and held her hand until her very last breath in this world.

Kenny and Ginger created a wonderful world together with their love. They raised three happy daughters and beautiful grandkids. They would attend every sporting event, parade, award ceremony. They shined such a beautiful light onto so many people. Everyone felt good in their presence. It is very hard to move on without their light. We will do our best to live life in their honor.

As kids, he would take time to be with each one of his daughters and make us feel truly special. In middle school, he and Holly would have weekly dates. They would spend Fridays watching Goodfellas, Casino or Godfather and it followed with pie at Coco's. He took Mindy to every weekend swim meet. He went to every dance performance and would make the sets for Kari's theater productions. He coached all of the girls soccer teams. He supported his children in everything they did, even being a cast member in The Pageant of the Masters when his daughters were cast. He loved his life with his family and lived for his family.

Kenny was a man of faith, honor, and pride. He was a true gentleman and a generous, loyal friend. He was a talented and skilled craftsman, billiard player, friend, and advice-giver. Kenny impressed people without ever trying. He loved music. He loved Leon Redbone, Janis Joplin, Joe Cocker, and many more.

He was active in numerous organizations. He was a proud member of the Mission Viejo VFW. He spent many nights with the Laguna Woods Billiards Club, The Old Pros Theatre Group, and Shuffleboard Club. Kenny regularly donated his time and extra funds to our community. Before school lunches were free, he used his holiday money to pay off balances for children's school accounts.

It is unfair for us, his grandchildren, his best friend, and all others, that we cannot give one more hug. He gave great hugs. He always nodded when we would complain. He would never tell us what we should do. There was never any judgment with his advice. He supported us no matter what. He was a man that would laugh, cry, and sit with you and your feelings.

Kenny was so proud of everyone. If you ever met him, we guarantee you that he told ten other people about you and how special you are. He loved making connections with people. He did it so easily because he genuinely loved everyone. He was a wonderful father and even better grandpa. He knew the meaning of life. He taught his family about love, kindness, and just shrugging your shoulders when you don't know. All that mattered to him was being a part of love.

It is with broken hearts and much sadness that we say goodbye to our sweet dad. It is with peace that we send him to be with our mom.

Kenny had so much love that he shared. Please help us honor him by honoring our veterans and practicing kindness in his honor.