Kenneth K. Simons

Kenneth K. (Ken) Simons was born September 18, 1937. His parents Kenneth W. and lmogene Simons were farming near Washta, lowa. He starled elementary school at Frankville, lowa, and graduated from high school in 1956 from Quimby, lowa. He attended Wayne State in Wayne, Nebraska for one year, then transferring to lowa State where he received both a B.S. and M.S. in statistics. Later, he earned a PhD in industrial engineering from Columbia Pacific University.

While at lowa State, he met the love of his life, his future wife Shirley. They were married in 1960. They have been blessed with three daughters, Deborah, DeAnn, and Lorie. They were also blessed with seven grandchildren, Sara, Jenna, Nicole, Miles, Amanda, Isaac, and Natalie, and also 3 great grandchildren, Marley, Tana, and Samuel.

His first job was in systems reliability at Martín Aerospace in Denver. A little more than three years later, IBM was building a new facility in Colorado, and Ken was employed with them. After retiring from IBM 27 ½ years later, he spent five years as an adjunct instructor at area colleges.

Family was a big part of his lífe. The family spent a lot of time together. They did a lot of camping in the Colorado mountains, and took several trips, including to both coasts.

Running was also a big part if Ken's life. In high school, he was part of a state champion two-mile relay team. He ran cross country the first years of college. Later, he ran many age group races, usually placing. He ran 20 marathons, plus Mt. Evans, Pikes Peak, many trail runs, snowshoe races, and walking races.

Ken also took up golf after retirement, playing a lot at Lake Arbor. He enjoyed playing bridge with Shirley and other groups.

Church was an important part of his lífe, being a member of several committees including Church and Society, SPR, Finance, and Science and Religion. He was chair of Trustees and the founding chair of the Green Team, now Creation Care. He was a member of Arvada Elks.

Environmental concerns were important to him all of his life. He was active in the Nature Conservancy and the Sierra Club.

After retirement, Ken and Shirley traveled to Costa Rica, Panama, lreland, England, Germany, Scotland, France, Austria, Alaska, Mexico, Canada, Holland, Greece, and Turkey.

He is survived by his wife Shirley, daughters Deborah, DeAnn (Matthew), and Lorie (Chris), sister Marietta, 7 wonderful grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.