Mitchell Simon

Mitchell Simon was born in Oilton, Oklahoma on October 26, 1919. He slipped, peacefully, from this life on November 21, 2014, with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, surrounding him with love. A first-generation American, Mitchell was the fourth son and the sixth of seven children born to Lebanese emigrants, Adele Farhood Simon and Najeeb Simon. It was said that the "lights never shined brighter" in his parents' home, as they did the night he was born. Mitchell was reared in Oilton and Tipton, Oklahoma and graduated from Tipton High School in 1937. He played football and basketball, and baseball in high school and was a life-long sports enthusiast. In 1936 he was recognized as the state's high scorer in football. Mitchell and his family moved from Tipton to Clinton, Oklahoma in 1939, where his family established Simon's Department Store, an institution in western Oklahoma for over 50 years. Oklahoma University came calling with a basketball scholarship and Mitchell spent two years, playing for his beloved Sooners and his coach, Bruce Drake, lettering in basketball in 1940 and 1941. He also played on the OU freshman football team. When World War II started, Mitchell proudly joined and served in the United States Army, initially stationed at Borden General Hospital, in Chickasha, Oklahoma, and then shipping out to Germany, England, France, and the Phillipines. He was sent to Japan, near the end of the war, and returned home to his loving family. He met his wife of almost 72 years, Mary Louise Razook, in 1936, and that began a love story for the ages. They were married on Valentine's Day, 1943. When Mitchell returned from World War II, he and Mary established their home in Clinton, rearing their four children and reveling in the daily excitement of a large, nuclear family. Besides Mary and their children, his parents, his brothers, sisters, and their families were a constant in his life, always referring to his nieces and nephews as "like my own children." Mitchell was the consummate sales person and he was a fixture in Simon's Department Store, as a clothier for hundreds of men, throughout the state. He was honored by the Clinton Kiwanis Club, as a 50-year member, flipping pancakes at their annual pancake supper for 50 years. He loved Clinton and supported his city and the Clinton Red Tornadoes throughout his children's, nephews', and nieces' school years. Pride in his Lebanese heritage was reflected in every aspect of Mitchell's life. He home was always open and hospitality abounded. Simon's Department Store was a constant gathering spot for friends and customers, with food always on the table for them to enjoy. He never met a stranger and was comfortable with people from all walks of life. After retirement, he continued to delight in his growing family, lighting up when his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren entered his home, which was the gathering spot for his family. He also never waivered in his love affair with Oklahoma University athletics. He and Mary have been OU football season ticket holders for 67 years. They were recognized and honored for that by OU President David Boren in 2010, at half-time of the OU-OSU game. Mitch was instrumental in the recruitment of OU football athletes in western Oklahoma. Mitchell and Mary entertained legendary football coaches, Bud Wilkinson and Barry Switzer. He attended OU basketball reunions, even as recently as 2013. As the oldest, living basketball letter winner, he engaged with many, much younger, former players and they showed him so much respect, as they swapped stories. Mitchell was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers and sisters-in-laws, Sam and Jeanne Simon, Ernest and Bernell Simon, and Floyd Simon and sisters and brother-in-laws, Smye and Dick Farha and Sally and Cecil Saied, nephew, Jim Simon, and son-in-law, Bob Childress. Honoring his legacy are his wife, Mary, daughters Sandy Simon Childress, Michele Simon, sons and daughers-in-law, Buster and Susan Simon, Paul and Jo Simon. Also surviving are his brother and sisters-in law, Ralph and Carletta Simon, Elsie Simon, and Dolores Massad. Missing their Giddie, always, are his grandchildren, Brent Childress, Shannon and Dan Wilguess, Sarah Simon, Kristen and Rob Gasiewicz, Season and Matt Swift, Sloane and Darren Markwardt, Skye and Ethan Sperle, Sutton Simon. He adored his great-grandchildren, Alex Gasiewicz, Sydney Wilguess, Isabel Gasiewicz, Austin Schoepflin, Daniel Wilguess, Sophie Swift, Natalie Gasiewicz, Samuel Swift, Robbie Gasiewicz, Marley Markwardt, Blythe Sperle, Bonnie Swift, and Haley Simon. So many nieces and nephews will miss "Uncle Mitch." Mitchell's family expresses gratitude to all of the doctors and care-givers that enhanced his life. Thank you Dr. E.N. Scott Samara, Crossings Hospice, Oklahoma City, Dr. Robert Blakeburn and Shepherd Home Health Care, Clinton, OK.. Mitchell fully appreciated the blessings of his life….his length of years, his treasured marriage, and his beautiful family. His was a life, well-lived and he was a man, well-loved.