Goodland, Kansas resident, Richard “Rastus” Wade Simon, 61, passed away unexpectedly at home on Wednesday, September 9, 2020.
Rich was born on August 6, 1959, in Manhattan, Kansas, to Ray Melvin and Marilyn Ann Simon. He was one of three children. He became a child of God through baptism and confirmation at the St. John Lutheran Church in Alma Kansas. He attended Wabaunsee High School and graduated in 1977. He then went on and attended Northwest Kansas Vocational Technical School.
He worked at McClure Plumbing for several years before going to work for the City of Goodland in 1989 where he worked for 30 years. He was promoted twice and was the Public Works Superintendent, and was scheduled to retire on September 11, 2020.
On September 22, 1998, he married Kody in Las Vegas. Over the years, they opened their home up to several foster kids and enjoyed fishing, hunting, football, collecting guns, and flying his powered parachute. He was very active member, and felt it was an honor to be a member of the local Kiwanis Club for many years. In March of 2018, he received the Kansas Rural Works Municipal Operator of the Year award.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Kody Simon, father Ray, brother Kurt Simon.
He was survived by his mother, Marilyn Simon, sister, Linda Conner, niece Emily Conner, great-niece Michalah Piotraschke and step-son Quennton and his wife Lyssa. He is also survived by numerous other nieces, nephews and many close friends.
Visitation will be held on Monday, September 14, 2020, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland. Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2020, at 10:30 AM MT at the Goodland United Methodist Church with Pastor Robert Grimm officiating.
Private family inurnment will be held in Goodland and Alma cemeteries in Goodland and Alma, Kansas at a later date.
Memorials may be designated to the Richard Simon Memorial Fund and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.
Funeral services have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.