MITCHELL SIMON

October 26, 1919 - November 21, 2014 CLINTON Mitchell Simon was born in Oilton, Oklahoma, October 26, 1919. He slipped peacefully from this life on November 21, 2014, with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren surrounding him with love. A first-generation American, Mitchell was the fourth son and sixth of seven children born to Lebanese emigrants, Adele Farhood Simon and Najeeb Simon. It was said that the "lights never shined brighter" in his parents' home as they did the night he was born. Mitchell was reared in Oilton and Tipton, Oklahoma, and graduated from Tipton High School in 1937. He played football and basketball in high school and was a lifelong sports enthusiast. In 1936, he was recognized as the state's high scorer in football. Mitchell and his family moved from Tipton to Clinton, Oklahoma, in the early 1940s, where his family established Simon's Department Store, an institution in western Oklahoma for over 50 years. Oklahoma University came calling with a basketball scholarship, and Mitchell spent two years playing for his beloved Sooners and his coach, Bruce Drake, lettering in basketball in 1941 and 1942. He also was a member of the OU freshman football team. When World War II started, Mitchell proudly joined and served in the United States Army, initially stationed at Borden General Hospital in Chickasha, Oklahoma, and then shipping out to Germany, England and France, and the Phillipines. He was sent to Japan, near the end of the war and returned home to his loving family. He met his wife of almost 72 years, Mary Louise Razook, in 1936, and that began a love story for the ages. They were married on Valentine's Day, 1943. When Mitchell returned from World War II, he and Mary established their home in Clinton, rearing their four children and reveling in the daily excitement of a large, nuclear family. Besides Mary and their children, his parents, his brothers, sisters, and their families were a constant in his life, always referring to his nieces and nephews as "like my own children." Mitchell was the consummate sales person, and he was a fixture in Simon's Department Store as a clothier for hundreds of men throughout the state. He was honored as a 50-year member of the Clinton Kiwanis Club, flipping pancakes at their annual pancake event. He loved Clinton and supported his city and the Clinton Red Tornadoes throughout his children's, nephews' and nieces' school years. Pride in his Lebanese heritage was reflected in every aspect of Mitchell's life. His home was always open and hospitality abounded. Simon's Department Store was a constant gathering spot for friends and customers, with food always on the table for them to enjoy. He never met a stranger and was comfortable with people from all walks of life. After retirement, he continued to delight in his growing family, lighting up when his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren entered his home. He also never waivered in his love affair with Oklahoma University athletics. Mitchell and Mary have been OU football season ticket holders for 67 years. They were recognized and honored for that by OU President David Boren in 2010 at half-time of the OU-OSU game. Mitchell was instrumental in OU football recruitment in Western Oklahoma. He and Mary entertained legendary OU football coaches, Bud Wilkinson and Barry Switzer. He attended OU basketball reunions, even as recently as 2013. As the oldest, living basketball letter winner, he engaged with many much younger former players, and they showed him so much respect as they swapped stories. Mitchell was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers and sisters-in-laws, Sam and Jeanne Simon, Ernest and Bernell Simon, and Floyd Simon; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Smye and Dick Farha and Sally and Cecil Saied; nephew, Jim Simon, and son-in-law, Bob Childress. Honoring his legacy are his wife, Mary; daughters, Sandy Simon Childress and Michele Simon; sons and daughers-in-law, Buster and Susan Simon and Paul and Jo Simon. Also surviving are his brother and sisters-in-law, Ralph and Carletta Simon, Elsie Simon, and Dolores Massad. Missing their Giddie always are his grandchildren, Brent Childress, Shannon and Dan Wilguess, Sarah Simon, Kristen and Rob Gasiewicz, Season and Matt Swift, Sloane and Darren Markwardt, Skye and Ethan Sperle, and Sutton Simon. He adored his great-grandchildren, Alex Gasiewicz, Sydney Wilguess, Isabel Gasiewicz, Austin Schoepflin, Daniel Wilguess, Sophie Swift, Natalie Gasiewicz, Samuel Swift, Robbie Gasiewicz, Marley Markwardt, Bonnie Swift, and Haley Simon; along with many nieces and nephews. Mitchell's family is grateful to all of the doctors and medical personnel that helped enhance his life, sending thanks to Dr. E.N. Scott Samara, Oklahoma City; Dr. Robert Blakeburn, Clinton; Shepherd Home Health Care, Clinton; and Crossings Hospice, Oklahoma City. Mitchell fully appreciated the blessings of his life ?. his length of years, his treasured marriage, and his beautiful family. His was a life well-lived and he was a man well-loved. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2014, in the First Christian Church of Clinton. Burial will follow at 3:30 p.m. at the Fairlawn Cemetery in Oklahoma City. Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home, Clinton, Oklahoma