Louis C. Simon Jr.

Louis C. Simon Jr. passed away quietly Friday April 25, 2014 surrounded by his family, in the Lincoln County Care Center of natural causes.

Louie was born in Omaha, NE. on September 4th, 1925. He attended public high school in Omaha and went on to attend college at Creighton University. After a stint in the US Navy during WWII on the GI bill he continued his education at the University of Nebraska, eventually graduating with a degree in Architecture.

Soon after graduation Louie moved west coming to the Sun Valley area on the Union Pacific railroad in 1948. Once he saw the majestic Idaho Mountains he never returned to Nebraska. Working at The Duchin Room and The Sun Valley Lodge room service, waiting on his favorite movie stars and hanging out in Ketchum in the early days were some of Louie’s most cherished memories. He briefly opened and ran his own business, “Lou’s Lair” on Main St. Ketchum, next to the Casino. He sold contemporary art, sheet music, greeting cards & more. He hired an employee so he could be out enjoying libations with friends at the Alpine and the Casino. Louie bought a little piece of heaven on Warm Springs Road and built his dream house with his favorite view in the world of Baldy. He met his future wife Mary Bowden in 1952 eventually marrying her in 1956 at St. Charles Church in Hailey Idaho. In 1958 they moved to Reno for Louie to start his teaching career at Central Junior High School, where he taught Art & Math until it closed. He then moved on to Swope Junior High where he continued teaching Art. He was a respected and beloved teacher for 32 years. While teaching he returned to school himself at the University of Nevada-Reno where he received his Master’s degree in Education.
At the end of every school year, Louie and Mary and their four children, dogs, cats and all would return to Ketchum each summer to our favorite little house on Warm Springs Road. After Louie retired in 1990-91, of course there was no question where he would spend his retirement. He came back to his home here where he basked in retirement bliss. He began traveling during the winter months to Mexico and Arizona until his early eighties. After his traveling ended he spent his time in Ketchum enjoying a coffee and cookie at Starbucks, visiting with friends, or shopping at the Goldmine and Atkinson’s all while wearing his signature hats.
Louie loved music, old movies and ART. His passion was ceramics and contemporary and abstract art. For years and years he made hand-made Christmas cards for our many friends and family. Each was its own mini work of art. He was a wonderful joke teller with a wicked sense of humor, a master of the English language (he wouldn’t hesitate to correct your grammar), he often quoted poetry and Latin, and he loved to sing and dance. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa Academic Honor Society and of the American Legion. Louie and Mary had four children and 6 grandchildren. Louie was a true original. He was deeply loved by his family and he will truly be missed.
He is survived by his wife Mary Bowden Simon, his children Mark Simon, Craig (Alicia) Simon, Mimi Simon, from Reno, NV. And Patty (Ben) Gilman from Bellevue, ID; his grandchildren Louie May; Britt, Maddy, and Kennedy Simon; Quin and Avery Gilman; his sister Joyce (Tom) Cook of Reno; also his dear friend Robert Hansen; and his faithful dog Zach.
He was preceded in death by his parents Louis & Retta Mae Simon, and his siblings Ted and Dorothy.
Thank you to everyone that helped care for my Dad in & out of his home over the past year, especially the kind and caring staff at Lincoln County Care Center.