Jerry Simon

After over a year long fight with cancer, our father, grandfather, brother, friend and teacher Jerald F. Simon (Jerry) returned home to his Father in Heaven on Wednesday October 7th. Surrounded by his children and his beautiful wife, he was welcomed into the arms of his Savior.

He valiantly endured a rare diagnosis of high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma. He was given weeks to only 3 months to live from the doctors. However, with the indefatigable love, encouragement and joyful inspiration by his wife, Denise, he pushed on to experience as much time together as possible.

Jerry was born in Appleton, Wisconsin to Joseph and Marie Simon. He grew up in Greenville and went to grade school in a one room school house. Graduating near the top of his class at Hortonville High School, he excelled in every aspect of his life; performing in school plays, band, choirs and sports, eventually earning a full tuition and housing scholarship to the University of Wisconsin. He played many instruments but excelled in piano. He was an incredibly gifted singer and pursued a professional career singing at many venues, eventually touring with the Fred Waring Music company.

After attending the University of Wisconsin, he went on a trip with a dear friend and came in contact with the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. A year later after much research and study he was baptized a member of the church. In 1977 he served a mission for his church in the Salt Lake City, Utah mission. Jerry met the love of his life, Anna Denise Bullock, in October of that year while serving his mission. During the course of writing letters, while they both served full-time missions, an eternal love was formed. After only three months of being home from their missions, they were married and sealed together for time and all eternity in the Manti, Utah temple.

He graduated with his Bachelor's degree from Weber State University and then in 1988 achieved a Master's degree from BYU. Jerry taught Seminary and Institute for the Church spanning 34 years from 1980 till 2014.

For the majority of his career, he led and directed choirs at the Institute of Religion at Weber State. Throughout those years, he toured several states with the choir spreading the love of our Savior through music and spoken word to countless individuals. He wrote and directed variety shows at the Institute that were performed each Spring and Christmas season. Adding equal parts of fun, laughter and uplifting spiritual experiences, he blessed the lives of more than we'll ever know. Music was one of his greatest passions and he shared it willingly no matter how busy his life was. He led choirs for the Ogden Utah Missionaries, Stake and Ward Choirs, the Temple Dedication choir and led a variety of choirs during several sessions of General Conference for the Church of Jesus of Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Ever the teacher, he walked this life being a pillar of wisdom, always willing to counsel and be of service to those in need. Teaching thousands through directing countless choirs, mission prep classes, doctrine and church history studies at the Institute of Religion, He truly mourned with those that mourned, comforted those that stood in need of comfort, and was a witness of God in all things. He once said, 'It doesn't matter if you see the Savior in this life; what matters is if others see the Savior in your life.' When we saw him, we undoubtedly saw the Savior.

But nothing on this earth meant more to him than his angelic wife Denise and their eternal family. Together they raised 6 children, 5 sons and 1 daughter. Beginning in 1980, they began their journey as parents with the birth of twin boys. Every two years following, another child blessed their lives, until 1989 when their family was made complete. Being a Father came naturally to Jerry. He was dedicated to creating an atmosphere of love, patience and understanding, while providing the perfect example of a provider, protector, teacher, and role-model. The sacrifices he made for his family are hard to quantify. He continually put the needs of his children and family above his own. Alongside his loving wife, they raised children who wanted to grow up to be parents and taught them each what a Godly marriage looked like. While Jerry's love for his children was unyielding, his love for Denise only came second to his love for God. His priorities were always focused on his family and their eternal path back to their loving Father in Heaven.

Serving others was also an integral part of who Jerry was. It did not matter if he had known you for two days, two months or twenty years, if you needed help, he was there. Throughout his years in the church he served as a Bishop, Young Men's president, High Councilman, as a temple worker in the Ogden temple and several other callings over years of dedicated service. His favorite, of course, teaching gospel doctrine. In addition to several church service missions, he served three full time missions. His first as a young man to Salt Lake City, and two other full-time missions with his favorite companion, Denise. Working hard and learning a new language, they diligently served the missionaries and people of Cavite, Philippines and Kelowna, British Columbia missions. Their last mission that they served together was for the Ogden Hometown Mission. As directors they coordinated community classes and worked more hours in a week than what most would do in a month. They grew to love all those that they served.

Although he had many great earthly accomplishments, His greatest legacy is in his children and grand-children. Equally adored by all, Jerry (Papa) will always be 'the funniest guy we know'. With an infectious smile, the cheesiest jokes alive, and relentless joy for life, you always felt seen and loved when you entered a room that he was in. He was deeply ponderous, fun-going, spiritual and witty.

Jerry had an enduring love of learning, reading and writing. He found great joy in sharing his knowledge, insights, and love of the scriptures with those in his life. For years he wrote weekly and monthly messages to his family called 'Papa's Ponderings or Dad's Deliberations'. He would share stories from his youth, and teach us life lessons, varying from football and baseball insights to the eternal doctrines of Jesus Christ.

Jerry's passions and hobbies were rooted in simplicity. He loved watching college football, working in his garden, tending to his beautiful yard, making homemade donuts, waffles and ice cream, playing with his grandkids, watching their sporting and musical events, afternoon movie dates, bike rides and having breakfast on the back deck all with his wife whom he adored more than anything.

With all of his years of service and thousands of lives that he impacted, he still remained humble. In some of his last words, he called himself a 'simple dirt farmer'. He will forever be in our hearts and continually watching over us.

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He is survived in life by his wife, Denise. His children, Jerald (Suzanne), Josh (Shelece), Anthony (Ashley), Joey (Taylor), Thomas (Jessica), Rebecca Christensen (Tyler). His siblings, Greg Simon (Diane), Dan Simon (Lori), MaryJo Zanton. Sibling In-laws, Trisha Martinez (John), Diana Bullock, Mark Bullock (Vicki)

He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph & Marie Simon. His sisters, Adele Simon, Katie Simon. In-laws, Ronald & Myrna Bullock. Sister In laws, Barbara Kubik, Bonnie Gailfus. Brother-in-laws, Ray Bullock, Carl Bullock and Jim Zanton.

A celebration of Jerry's life will be held on Saturday, October 17th at 11 am at the Pleasant View 1st Ward, 3035 N 1325 W. Pleasant View, UT. A viewing will be held on Friday at the church from 6-8 pm and on Saturday from 9:30-10:30 am prior to the services.

Please share your memories and photos of Jerry with the family on his memorial page at www.myers-mortuary.com

Services entrusted to Myers Mortuary of Ogden.