Everett Wayne Simon

Everett Wayne Simon of Wenatchee, WA, passed away Saturday, June 25, 2016, at his assisted living home (Spiritwood at Pine Lake) in Sammamish, WA. He was born August 20, 1922 in Wenatchee, WA to Eben and Violet (Zavitz) Simon. He graduated from Wenatchee High School in 1941, where he loved playing center and defensive lineman for the Panthers. Moved by a strong sense of national pride and duty, three days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Wayne joined the Army Air Corps on December 10, 1941 and was called to active duty 25 days later. He trained as a pilot to fly the B-24 Liberator and was honored to serve as a First Lieutenant in the 15th Air Force. During his service, he had an emergency crash landing in Northern Africa and suffered injuries that ended his combat flying tenure. He spent many months recovering from his injuries in military hospitals from Marrakesh, French Morocco, Casablanca, Italy, Bringham City, UT to Spokane, WA. After full recovery, he went back to active duty in Smyrna, TN and flew around the U.S. retrieving spare parts for B-24 aircrafts. Wayne met his first wife, Roberta (Wyman) Simon, in Pueblo, CO while he was stationed at the Pueblo Air Force Base. They were married July 4, 1944 at the First Methodist Church in Pueblo when he returned from overseas. He was discharged at Fort Lewis, WA October 20, 1945. The couple moved to Wenatchee, WA in 1947 to start their family. Wayne purchased his first apple orchard and began a farming career that extended to his retirement. They had two children: Larry Wayne, who in 1963 preceded him in death due to heart surgery complications at the age of 16 and Connie Marie, who in 1991 also preceded him in death due to breast cancer at the age of 41. His wife, Roberta, preceded him in death July 11, 2003. He was preceded in death also by a brother, Eben Simon. Wayne was an avid volunteer. He served as Captain of the Chelan County Fire District #1 from 1948-1963 and Chelan County #1 Fire Commissioner for six years. Which is ironic, as he and his brother Forrest "Forrey," nearly burned down a family barn on Independence Day in 1934, as mischievous young boys taking an interest in a skyrocket firework. He also volunteered with the Chelan County Sherriff's Posse from 1967-1973, served on Mission Ridge Ski Patrol for three years and gave time to his church, Central Christian (Now Cornerstone Christian) for many years. Wayne later married Betty Ann (Recchia) Simon in July of 2005. They enjoyed traveling together and visited England, Ireland, Scotland, North and South Wales. They cruised to many places, Alaska, Panama Canal and the Mediterranean. You could find Wayne reading his Bible often on the patio in the sun, having coffee with friends, playing golf and he was always up for going out to a good meal at any local establishment. Wayne will always be remembered as a kind, loving and honest person. A quote he cherished: "Anger is the Wind that Blows Out the Light of Reason" - Robert Green Ingersoll. Wayne is survived by his wife, Betty Ann (Recchia) Simon of Sammamish, WA; his brother, Forrest Simon (Wilma) of Gig Harbor, WA; sister-in-law, Regina Simon of Wenatchee, WA; many special people who were like children to him: Darcel and Tom Troy, David and Debbie Recchia, Denise Recchia-Agnew and Michael Agnew, Tressa and Mike Compton, Mardell and Mike Mudlin and Sharon and Skip Steinbach. A Service of Tribute will be held Friday, July 1, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Wenatchee, WA. Pastor Mark Hein will officiate. There will be a reception following with pie (Wayne's favorite). Memorials may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church or Children's Hospital of Seattle. Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee, WA, is taking care of Wayne's arrangements.

Everett Wayne Simon

August 20, 1922 - June 25, 2016