Joseph Clifton Simon, Sr.

Joseph Clifton Simon, Sr, 85, of Lake Charles died at 9:30 AM on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 in a local hospital. Mr. Simon was born on November 9, 1928 in Morse, LA and moved to Crowley, LA at eleven years old. He attended school there until March 1944 when he joined the U.S. Navy. Mr. Simon was stationed in Anaheim, CA for nine months where the USS Belleau Wood was anchored for restoration after being hit by enemy bombing. He boarded an aircraft carrier in December 1944 and spent thirteen months in enemy fire range and returned to Crowley on February 1946. He moved his family to Lake Charles in November 1948 where he was a self employed painting contractor and resided here until his death. He attended St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church. He was a man of character and extremely proud of our country and his family. He was always protective and loving to everyone even during every challenge in his life and he always gave his best. His wife, Doris, will love and honor him and miss him dearly as well as his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and others that were blessed to know him. Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 70 years, Doris Spell Simon; three children, Carolyn Simon, Joseph C. "Skip" Simon, Jr. and wife D.D., and Audrey Simon-Champagne and husband Paul all of Lake Charles; ten grandchildren and their spouses, Tammera Olney Welsh and Paul of Baton Rouge, Kimberley Olney Trunick and Ted of Lake Charles, Jamie Simon and Lea of Lake Charles, Michelle Simon Eastman and Tommy of Lake Charles, Troy Olney and Suman of Austin, TX, Dr. Jacob Dent and Jennifer of Richmond, TX, Staci Simon Boudreaux and Paul of Lake Charles, Ryan Simon and Sarah of Lake Charles, Kara Champagne Garrett of Austin, TX, and Aaron Champagne of Austin, TX; and twenty-one great grandchildren. He also leaves behind an aunt, Lorenza Simon of Morse, LA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edia and Vance Simon; two brothers; and one sister. A funeral mass will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church. The Rev. John Huckaby will officiate. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will begin on Friday from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being recited at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Saturday in the funeral home from 8:00 AM until leaving for the church at 12:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Association, www.cancer.org/donate, Autism Society-Louisiana, www.lastateautism.org, or to the charity of one's choice.