Dr. Jose Benjamin Simo Sr.

Dr. José Benjamin Simo, Sr., a beloved father, adored grandfather, and friend to many, passed away at his home in McComb, Mississippi, on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024.
Jose Benjamin Simo, Sr. was born on October 31, 1937, in Sensuntepeque, El Salvador, to Dr. José Benjamin Simo Leiva and Alba Simo. He graduated from Liceo Salvadoreno in 1954 and graduated from the University of El Salvador School of Medicine in 1962. He completed an internship at Hospital Rosales and entered his surgical residency there in 1964.
Dr. Simo married the love of his life, Gloria Luz Samayoa in 1964. By 1968, there was civil unrest in El Salvador, and he made the difficult decision to leave his native country and immigrate to the United States. He prepared by enrolling in intensive English language classes and studied to take American medical graduate exams. He moved his wife and two young daughters to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1969, entering surgical residency at Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia. From there, the family moved to West Virginia and Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Simo and his family, which now included three children, moved again to New Orleans, LA where he completed a residency and fellowship in urology at Ochsner Foundation Hospital.
The Simo family moved to McComb, MS in 1979, where Dr. Simo opened the McComb Urology Clinic where he practiced until his retirement in 2013. He was a member of the American Urology Association, the American Medical Association, the American College of Surgeons, and the Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation Society. In his retirement years, he enjoyed meeting his former patients on his almost daily trips to town.
Dr. Simo was a man of few words; however, his actions showed his gentle, generous spirit. He enjoyed a good joke, a party, all kinds of music, and later in life had the status of amateur gardener and bird lover. He cultivated orchids, other difficult to grow plants, and enjoyed taking care of his two African love birds. He was incredibly proud of his children and doted on his grandchildren. Known as Papi to his children, grandchildren and all their friends, he leaves a legacy of hard work, dedication and care for others that will live on in those who knew and loved him.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Gloria Luz Samayoa Simo, and his parents.
He is survived by his three children, Gloria Jaques (Michael) of Madison, Kathia Hicks (Clark) of Hattiesburg, and José Simo of Summit; six grandchildren, Benjamin and Caroline Jaques, Harrison and Luke Hicks, and Andrea and Natalie Simo; his sister-in-law, Maria Samayoa; and numerous extended family members.
The family extends their gratitude to Lytoria Chesser, wiho showed great patience, understanding and care in her daily interactions with Dr. Simo and without whom the last four years at home would not have been possible.
Visitation and a memorial service for Dr. Simo will be held at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in McComb, MS on Friday, April 12. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:00, with the memorial service immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, P.O. Box 1105, McComb, MS 39648 or MICA, 126 N. 5th Street, McComb, MS 39648.