Carl Edward Simon

Carl grew up mostly in Denver, CO attending public schools and participating in the school bands playing his violin. After graduating from school, he spent four years in the service with the Navy and Marine Corp and was stationed overseas for most of that time during World War II. After he returned home, he attended Colorado University.

He first met his future wife, Shirley, at Lakeside Ballroom. They both loved to dance, and this led to their marriage September 19, 1948. In 1950, their first son was born and when he was about five-months old, Shirley became acquainted with Jehovah's Witnesses. Carl and Shirley began to study and were baptized together at an assembly sight in Denver on January 20, 1952.

Together they served Jehovah through trials and tribulations, sharing their faith with others as long as it was in their power to do so.

Annual conventions of Jehovah's Witnesses were important to both of them and they always found the means to attend no matter how far they had to drive or what hardships were involved in going. In order to attend these conventions, they sometimes camped out along the way and stayed in the homes of non-witnesses in the convention city.

Carl and Shirley attended the historical significant international convention in New York in 1953 and 1958.

As a young man, Carl was given responsibilities in the congregation; first as a servant, and later as an elder willing, serving in that role for decades. He applied his public speaking training to the giving of bible-based talks in the congregations as well as assembly programs. He also applied his knowledge as a master electrician to the construction of Kingdom Halls throughout Denver and surrounding areas. Deep and lasting friendships were formed with the brothers also engaging in this work.

Over time, a change came within the organization. Carl always accepted new methods for getting the preaching work done. He also set a fine example over the years by accepting any organization change at the congregation level.

Carl's eyesight began to fail, but he still continued to stay in the ministry school and go from house to house. His life spent in loyal service to Jehovah serves as an example for all who had the privilege of knowing him.

His is preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Lavonne Simon.

He is survived by: sons, Franklin Carl Simon and Michael Paul Simon; grandchildren, Angela Cole, Andre Simon, Jennifer Simon, Jonathan Simon, Isaac Simon, and Michael Paul Simon Jr.; and great-grandchildren, Eric King, Brian King, Tyler Cole, Bron Simon, and Berlin Simon.