Gregg Simon

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Gregg Simon, age 68, of Mobridge, passed away Wednesday, May 31, 2017, at the Mobridge Regional Hospital.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday June 6, 2017 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Mobridge with Fr. Bill Hamak officiating. Burial followed in St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Hoven at 2:00 p.m. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m, Monday June 5, 2017 with a wake service at 7:00 p.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in Gregg’s name.

Gregory James Simon was born on March 10, 1949 in Hoven, South Dakota at the Holy Infant Hospital. He was the oldest of four children born to Marvin and Elvina (Knecht) Simon. As a child, he grew up on a farm west of Lebanon, SD. He attended grade school in Lebanon and graduated from Hoven High School in 1967. He went on to receive his secondary education degree in Industrial Arts from Northern State College, Aberdeen, in 1971. While in college, he met his future wife, Sharon J. Morgan, as the result of a missing button on a shirt in the college bowling alley. They got married June 20, 1970 in Rapid City, SD. In the fall of 1971, Gregg and Sharon started their teaching careers with the Mobridge School system. Along with his teaching career, Gregg ran a gunsmithing shop, and had a fishing tackle business which included a fishing guide service. The highlight of his teaching career was the establishment of the Industrial Arts program.

Anyone who knew Gregg, knows an obituary cannot possibly encompass who he was. His personality, his lifelong impact on others and his infectious laugh got the attention of all who met him. Across many generations, he imparted his lasting impressions of the importance to ‘pay attention to detail’, ‘focus on the goal’ and to have a ‘strive to do your very best’ demeanor. Gregg always stood up for the “little guy” and was the first to encourage you when things were down and out. His pride in those he loved, often revealed the tender side of a man who wished he could always do more. You would be hard pressed to call Gregg Simon anything other than a “man’s man”, a man of integrity and one who respect was easy to give to.

Given the opportunity, Gregg’s humor and banter was shared with everyone he interacted with. The ability to find joy in each day was not often a problem. Gregg enjoyed and took pride in taking care of things placed in his care whether it was people or material things. Although he could find joy in every-day life, Gregg added to that with a love for competitive shooting sports, hunting, fishing, cooking and “Simonizing” anything he could get his hands on! Over the years he participated in American Trapshooting locally and at the state level, National Rifle Association Indoor Pistol shooting, and most recently was very active in shooting a Shiloh Sharps 1874 single shot black powder cartridge rifle. With shooting the Sharps came much travel for competitive matches in North Dakota, Montana, Nebraska and South Dakota. Last year he participated in a national match in Raton, New Mexico. Many hours were invested in perfecting each aspect of his shooting career.

Although Gregg’s hobbies occupied much of his time, he loved nothing more than to make memories with his family. The pride and joy of Gregg’s life was sharing his life with his wife, Sharon J. (Morgan) Simon, children Shane (Sean) Simon, daughter Temple Simon, Nemo, SD; Brent (Jackie) Simon, daughters Mya, Kaylee, and Emilee Simon, Rapid City, SD; Tashina (Enoch) Pashby, sons Hunter and Gage Frerichs, step- daughter, Tenley Pashby, Box Elder, SD. He is also survived by his siblings: Rick (Imelda) Simon, Gettysburg, Sharon (Mark) Mulder, Sioux Falls, and Tim (Sandy) Simon, Webster; brothers-in-law: Steve (Pat) Morgan, Rapid City and Kevin (Angela) Morgan, Spearfish; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.

Gregg is preceded in death by his parents: Marvin (2010) and Elvina (2016); mother and father-in-law: Bob (2000) and Leola (2009) Morgan.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Gregg’s arrangements.