I first met Jim when I joined Pi Lambda Phi fraternity at UNC in the early Seventies. He was a super nice, genteel and kind guy even in a college fraternity setting.  After graduation I ended up moving to Raleigh and went to work for NC government. Living with other frat brothers in North Raleigh we discovered that Jim and his wife Pat lived just a short distance away and we became reacquainted. 

Through almost a decade of youthful fun Jim observed our craziness and joined in with us but always retained the role of a smarter, caring older brother. He was quick witted and so much fun to be around, but he retained a caring, interested, inquiring and protective aura about him. You knew that through thick and thin, good times and bad times Jim was a "good guy" always.

Even though I moved away almost 40 years ago, whenever I came to Raleigh I tried to visit or at a minimum inquired as to how Jim and Pat were doing.  People like Jim Simon's are the type of people you always think about and remember throughout your lifetime.

I was a huge fan, Jim.  We will all miss you, brother.  Rest in Peace. Condolences and sympathies to Pat and all his family. 

I also had the privilege of being a fraternity brother of Jim’s in college.  A number of us just received notice this morning of his recent passing.  

Jim was an extraordinary brother and friend to all. His happiness, helpfulness and positive attitude were uplifting qualities that are memorable to this day.

May you Rest In Peace my brother.

Preston Comeaux 

Just now learned of Jim's passing. My condolences from a fraternity brother from UNC, but also a good friend from his days of living in High Point, where we also were co-workers one summer.

I was in Jim’s college fraternity Pi Lam  with him in Chapel Hill in the early ‘70s.   He was a smiling happy guy back then. Reading the comments of the folks he worked with shows he continued to be a smiling happy and highly competent guy the rest of his life. He was truly one of the good guys.  Jim we will miss you. 



During my many years of public service, I have been privileged to have worked with some remarkable and extraordinary people.  Jim Simons was one of the best of the best with whom I was honored to share my professional journey.  

Not only was he acutely talented in his field of expertise, he possessed that rare ability to see the common sense in difficult and complex circumstances.  While he was resolutely professional, he was also respectful of all with whom he interacted as he sought to protect the environment and truly serve the people of North Carolina.

I enjoyed working with Jim at DENR as we dealt with the issues and challenges of the day.  Mostly, however, my day was brightened when I saw his unique smile radiating from his face and the laugh or two we would find in the day’s discussions.  The news of his passing deeply saddened me, but the memories of our time together at DENR still prompts a smile and happy thoughts.  

God bless you, Jim, and your family.  May you always be in his grace and comforting arms.

Dee Freeman


More condolences from ASDSO:

I am sad to learn Jim Simons has passed. I had the opportunity to work for him at the North Carolina Dam Safety Program. He was a great teacher and mentor to me. Rest in peace Jim.

Maxwell Fowler
Civil Engineer
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Duluth GA
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I considered Jim to be a good friend, even though our encounters were few and far between. That was just his manner - he could have been a politician, except that he didn't want to have to throw up after every speech.
The first thing I remember learning from Jim was that the hockey team in North Carolina was named the Hurricanes, and of course my experience was with the Miami Hurricanes (not hockey). We will miss this kind and intellectual man.

Stephen H. Partney, PE
Mining Engineer, Technology Services Branch
William L. Beatty Federal Building
Alton, Illinois 

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Taken aback when I saw that Jim had passed. Very sad news.  He was a gentle soul, always seemed in good spirits and with whom  I enjoyed his company on many occasion, many Board meetings/trips. He was dedicated to ASDSO's cause and served the Association with distinction. RIP Jim.

Richard DeBold


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May he rest in peace. 

Paul Malocha
Senior Project Engineer
Stantec Consulting Services, Inc.
Ann Arbor MI



Jim was a member of Leesville BASSMasters for 6 years, and had a passion for fishing that is rare even among passionate fisherman.   Jim loved to catch chain pickerel (aka a "jack"), which are the bane of bass fisherman, more than anything that swims.  He was written up in North Carolina Sportsman several times, and was recognized as one of the experts in the state on catching them.  Mayo Lake near Roxboro, NC was his favorite place to fish for them, and Jim always had a little extra pep in his step when the club would fish a tournament there.

Jim was good natured about his condition.  Prospective members would attend our club meetings sometimes.  When we’d go around the room introducing ourselves, Jim would usually tell them he had Parkinsons as he introduced himself.  When he did, I’d tell them, "look, if Jim is fishing a tournament and there's a good shakey head bite on, you’re fishing for second."  He’d look over and just crack that wonderful grin.

I feel privileged to have known Jim (and his family), and saddened that I didn't know him longer than I did.  He was one the most generous people I've ever known and also one of the strongest willed.  The man didn't have any quit in him, especially when it came to fishing.  I know he’s got the Good Lord pulled aside right now, giving him tips on how to catch more jacks.


Jim was a true leader in his profession  and  was a thoughtful friend to those of us who knew him through PD... ....He never lost his courage or commitment to raise money for Parkinson's Disease  research.....From the very beginning of the "Moving Day" fundraiser in North Carolina  he formed a Team each year  to work together to raise money for the Parkinson's Foundation...He was our leader and provided the" glue " for our  mission....He will be missed...but will always remain a role model for those of us who shared his disease...Thank you , Jim...



More from ASDSO

This is very sad news indeed. Jim was a stalwart of ASDSO and I am proud to say I got to know him well over many years at Conferences, but even more-so through the Peer Review Program. Jim was one of our "founders". I had the previlage to travel with Jim to many states and was always learning from his thoughtful quiet demeanor. He will be missed by so many. RIP Jim.

William Bingham
Camp Hill PA

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Sad to hear - Jim was ​a great friend and a true gentleman.  Having served on the Board with Jim for many years we got to bond over engineering and college basketball.  He would educate me about coal ash dams and I would respond with spring snow melt challenges.  And his wife Pat was a treasure whenever she made it to a meeting.  I can still remember his speech as incoming president when he said it took him years to figure out "Raul rhymes with Y'all" .  RIP Jim.


Raul Silva
Deputy Chief Engineer
MA Department of Conservation & Recreation

I shared the sad news with ASDSO.  Jim had an impact across this country.  Thought I would share and will update as any more arrive.

Mr. Jim Simons, Raleigh, North Carolina, passed away this weekend.  Many of you likely know him.  He was Director of Land Resources in NC Dept. Environment and  Natural Resources when he completed his 39 year career in 2012, also serving as Chief Engineer and State Dam Safety Engineer for the State of North Carolina.   He was on ASDSO Board of Directors from 1991-1996 and President from 1994-1995.  He cared for the people of North Carolina, shared his knowledge with anyone who would listen and loved his profession.  Lastly but most important, he was one great man to anyone who knew him.  Rest easy Rock.

Brad Cole
Stormwater Asset Manager
City of Raleigh
Raleigh NC

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I am so sorry to hear this news. Jim was a good friend and a great president for ASDSO. I enjoyed our time together, along with his wife Pat, on ASDSO Board trips. He did so much for this organization in its early days and for the State of North Carolina. He will be missed.

Lori C. Spragens
Executive Director
Association of State Dam Safety Officials, Inc.
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I am saddened to hear this news too.  I remember Jim from my early days in ASDSO and always thought of him as a kind and caring person who was willing to share good advice.  He was a champion for ASDSO.

Jim Pawloski

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Sad news indeed. Jim was such a wonderful, kind and gentle man; always smiling, always happy and such a delight to be around. 

Brad Iarossi, P.E., Chief
Dam, Bridge & Seismic Safety Branch
Division of Engineering
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
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I worked with Jim during my career with NCDENR and was able to share times with him. He always loved his work. Whether it was in the mining program, dam inspection or working on special projects he seemed to give all of his attention to what needed to be done. I always respected him as a co-worker and will always remember his willingness to participate in any way to help support those he worked with and his kind words of encouragement when it was needed. We will be thinking about his family during this time of loss. God bless you.

Ashley, I am so very very sorry to learn of your dad's passing. He seemed to be a person everyone felt lifted by. I'm thinking of you -- Ruth


In the mid '80s I worked with Jim and many Special Others. Jim is 'A Diamond In The Rough,' and such a Gentle Soul. I will always have you Pat and Your Family in my prayers. Jim will Always be looking after each of you while still influencing the land He Loves.  Keep Your Faith and Smile At Each Sunrise knowing  He Is Smiling With You. Good Bless Each of Your Days.

I served with Jim on two appointed Department work teams, EPAT and the Quality Guidance Team.  Jim was friendly, thoughtful, logical, and fun to have as a member.  He helped diffuse tension on EPAT.  One of my fond memories was a QGT meeting down at the coast, where Jim brought a selection of his home brews for the group to try around the pool that evening!  Fun times.

I interacted professionally and personally with Jim Simons for 37 years.  He was a kind, generous, intelligent man with deep curiousity about the ancient past and man's place in it.  He was the only man I have known who told fish stories without stretching the size of the fish he had caught.  He loved to fish, but he also loved his family, his friends, and collecting things such as fossils, shark teeth, and arrowheads! While visiting a proposed mining location with Jim, he picked up a stone from the ground's surface and exclaimed he had discovered an arrowhead!  I explained that the stone object he held was not an arrowhead, but was a spear point about 8000 years older than any arrowhead he might find.  In archaeological terms they were properly called projectile points.  He put the object in his pocket and departed.  About a week later, he visited my office and his right pocket was bulging.  His smile was ear to ear, and he chuckled as he pulled out stone object after stone object from his pocket.  He stated he had found these "projectile points," and wanted me to indicate how old they might be, and which ones were really arrowheads!!   From that day on he collected ancient artifacts the same way he fished....with a big smile and a zest for life!!  Rest in peace, old friend. You will be missed.


I had the great privilege of working with Jim for several years in his capacity as the Governor of North Carolina’s official representative to the Interstate Mining Compact Commission. Jim always contributed wise counsel and advice to the organization and his jovial personality was appreciated by one and all. Pat joined him for many of our meetings and I especially appreciated her deep love and care for Jim. We had many good times together. I will miss my good friend and send my sincere condolences to Pat and family. 

Greg Conrad 

Jim was a great neighbor,  Lodge Brother,  and friend.  We had an inside joke between Jim, my brother,  and myself. It involved a trout fishing trip to the farm in Ashe County.  We all limited out that Saturday morning with seven fish each. As I cleaned the fish, I came up with twenty two,  or one over the limit. We never could figure out who could not count correctly! 

I shall miss my friend. 

It was my pleasure to work with Jim for over 20 years.  He was the most caring of supervisors.  Will miss him and his sense of humor.  A great champion for the natural resources of the State.  Condolences to Pat and the family.  

I had the pleasure of working for Jim for many years in state government.  Jim was a kind, compassionate and common sense gentleman.  A great leader and champion for North Carolina's natural resources. My condolences and prayers to Jim's family.  Jim was a great friend always.  Until we meet again. 

OBITUARY

James David Simons

October 1, 1948 – April 6, 2019

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home

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