Bradley Clyde Simon
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Funeral services for Bradley Clyde Simon, 53, Lawrence will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, December 19, 2014 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. His ashes will be scattered in White Water, WI. He passed away Saturday, December 13, 2014 at his home.
He was born July 24, 1961 in Del Norte, CO the son of Marvin A. and Connie (Betlack) Simon.
He received his BS from the University of Kansas.
He was an avid model railroad enthusiast, active in Drum Corp activities since the age of 11. He was also a judge for the pageantry arts around the country.
He was a Science Teacher at Free State High School in Lawrence.
He married Lisa DeGarmo August 5, 1989 in Lawrence, KS. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include his son, Aaron of the home; his father, Marvin Simon, both of Lawrence. He was preceded in death by his mother, Connie L. Simon on December 18, 2000.
The family will greet friends following the service Friday, December 19th until 3 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Drum Corp International and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
We are so sad to hear of your loss. Brad was an amazing teacher and was well liked by students and staff both.
My youngest son had Brad for 8th grade science here at Ottawa Middle School, and loved every minute of the class. He was terribly upset to hear this news.
God bless and our prayers and thoughts are with you.
As a parent, I heard my children speak highly of Mr. Simon when they were in his science class. He made science fun, exciting, and relevant. Years later, I was privileged to teach in the 8th grade wing at OMS and saw him in action. He was indeed unconventional in his teaching, yet extremely effective. I have been honored to call him a colleague and a friend. May his family have some comfort from knowing so many loved him and have lasting memories of his teachings.
I was very sad to hear of Brads passing. I knew him from working with him at Ottawa Middle School. Brad was well liked by both students and faculty. He was also very helpful with the students I worked with. Our prayers are with Brads family.
Brad and I worked together at OMS for many years. He was truly an inspiration for not only the students but also myself. One thing he told every class every year sticks in my mind. He said, “Everyone likes to do something. Find something you really like to do, work to be the best at it, find a way to make money doing it, enjoy your life!” Brad did that very thing in his life. It was an honor to have known him. Lisa, Aaron, and the entire Simon family, be comforted that he had such a positive effect on so many peoples lives. I know he was very committed to you and loved you wholeheartedly. God Bless you all, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I was so sorry to hear about Brad. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. I taught with him at the old Middle School, through the cramped space of the modules and ending up at the new school. He was an outstanding teacher.
From our drum corps family to yours, please know we are sending prayers during this tough time. May you hang on to the great memories of a man whose dedication was obvious.
Brad will be missed at Free State High School. He was always a positive presence in the building. He went out of his way to assist students and to volunteer when needed. I will miss seeing him each morning!
Mr. Simon will be greatly missed at Free State High School. I personally will miss having him step into my office daily during his planning period. I enjoyed his sence of humor and fun nature. What I will remember most is how much he talked about his son, Aaron. He was extremely proud of Aaron and I’m really glad he got to see him graduate from Free State last spring.
God Bless you Aaron.
I was shocked to hear about Brad. The last I had heard he was doing better. It saddens me that you and your family have had such a loss. After I heard last weekend I was thinking of all the times he and I had sat around and just talked about various things. He was one of the most intelligent people I have ever known. All the students loved him as did his co-workers that really knew him. He will be sorely missed. I wish you and your family a blessed Christmas. I know from experience what it is like to lose a loved one at Christmas time.
Rip Uncle Brad!
Brad will be missed by so many people. He touched a lot of lives while on this earth. I have many memories of Brad introducing me to Lawrence, KS when I moved there. He was a great friend of Gil’s for most of their lives. I’m sure they had a joyous reunion. I know he thought the world of Lisa and Aaron and his dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Brad was my student teacher when I was a PE student at West Junior High. Throughout my time in school I had a lot of student teachers, but he is the only one I remember. I really “clicked” with him and liked his class a lot. About ten years later, I did my own student teaching at Ottawa Middle School and was so surprised to run into him again. It was great to see him after all of those years. Much to my surprise, he was hired at Free State a few years ago where I also teach. He was easy to talk to and occasionally came and found me in my classroom and we “caught up.” He connected with many of his students and was always happiest talking about his family. He liked to joke and was pretty sarcastic, but when he talked to me about his family, he was so obviously proud and happy. Praying for your comfort.
Words cannot express my deepest heartfelt sympathy for you. I never had the privilege of meeting Brad but I know he had wonderful parents and was an amazing son.
Marvin, Lisa and Aaron
You have our deepest sympathies. This is fragile time…,a time to be gentle with yourself and to give your heart permission to grieve, to feel, to remember. Strength and hope will come again, but for now…Do what you need to honor this sorrow, letting your heart and spirit heal. Thinking of You.
Kent & Lou Ann, Don Gerhard’s sister and brother-in-law
I’m sad to hear about Brad’s death. He will be missed at Free State High. We were just laughing and joking together Thursday afternoon at an event put on by his Robotics Club. Brad was a nice, cheerful, upbeat guy with a great sense of humor. We talked about his son Aaron — Brad had so much love and pride for his son. My heart goes out to the family.
I’m sorry I couldn’t be there today but you guys will be in my thoughts. I love you guys!
Brad’s greetings (and Salutations) were a highlight of my day here at Free State High School. I echo what others have shared about Brad’s intelligent conversation and entertaining humor. He adored his son, and demanded undivided attention when he had a new band picture to share. I must add that he also clearly adored his wife, proud of their 25 year milestone, their trip to New Orleans, and his affectionate term for her *special* hat. Just in the past couple of weeks he shared stories of his father (who he was obviously very proud of) and the irreconcilable difference that divided them: the love vs. hate of the cowboy boot. What a loss.
Lisa, it has been too long since Brad past away! It still seems like only yesterday that I saw both your smiling faces at your 20th NHS class reunion enjoying your son and taking a step into your past. I still recall so many bright memories of you from high school, but later in life, catching glimpses of your being involved in Special Olympics. Today, (6-8-2019) for what ever reason, I am recalling visit moments of both you and Brad during happier moments and I thought I would just let you know that neither of you are forgotten! I do hope you are okay and that this universe is being kind and gentle to such a wonderful human being! God blessing to you always! Elaine Engel