John Simonson

John Simonson went home to the Lord on November 4, 2016 at the age of sixty six. John was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 1st 1950, the third child of Merle and Terese Grady Simonson. He graduated from Carroll High School in Corpus Christi in 1968 and immediately enlisted in the United States Navy. He served with distinction for twenty one years retiring as a Senior Chief Petty Officer (Aviation Electronics Technician) in 1989. John was a Vietnam veteran and saw service at locations throughout the Pacific. John was awarded the following: Navy Unit Commendation; Meritorious Unit Commendation (two awards); Good Conduct Medal (five awards); Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (three awards); Navy Expeditionary Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with four campaign stars; Humanitarian Service Medal and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Prior to his own military service, John was part of a military family as his father served in the United States Navy for twenty six years. John’s father was his hero and his mentor throughout his life. After his retirement from the Navy, John returned to Live Oak County for a number of years working for the county as the 911 addressing agent, to create a grid for first responders. In 2005, John took a position as a civil service employee with assignments initially in Athens, Georgia and most recently in Orlando, Florida. John pursued his education while on active duty earning a Bachelor’s degree. After his retirement, he went on to earn a Master’s degree in Education from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi.



John was preceded in death by his parents Merle and Terese Simonson, his sister Nancy Simonson and his nephew James Ehrlich. He is survived by his son John Merle Simonson and his former wife Alice Manzano. He is also survived by three brothers: Stan, James and Joe Simonson; three sisters: Terri Ehrlich, Jeanene Jones and Becky Simonson; and two brothers-in-law: Clarke Ehrlich and Jimmie Jones. He is survived by his nieces and nephews Charles Simonson (James Parker), Amy Ehrlich (James’ widow), Tracy Ehrlich Head (Alex Head), Jay Jones (Jennifer), Jeanne Biggs (Jodie Biggs), Katie Simonson Wolter (Dale Wolter), James Simonson, Jr. (Nicole) and Daniel Jones. He is also survived by his great nieces and nephews: Mikayla Campos; Alex Ehrlich; Sam and Emily Head; Julie, Tres, Joslyn and Janna Jones; and Lisanda, Brooklyn and Kayla Simonson.



Visitation will be held at Galloway and Sons Funeral Home in Beeville on Friday, November 18th from 5 to7 PM. Recitation of the rosary will follow at 7PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Beeville on Saturday, November 19th at 10 AM. The mass will be followed immediately by a celebration of full military honors for John. A private burial will take place in the Simonson family ranch at a later date. Arrangements are with Galloway and Sons Funeral Home in Beeville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s name to The Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center (www.fallenheroesfund.org/Donate.aspx) or Fisher House at Brooke Army Medical Center

(www.fisherhouse.org/programs/houses/house-locations/texas-brooke-army-medical-center-san-antonio-military-medical-center/).

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