Michael Stuart Simon passed away peacefully on June 12, 2023 due to
complications from the cancer he was fighting.
He was born on Nov. 20, 1965 to Tom and Eileen Simon in North Platte, Neb.
Mike’s family moved to Hermiston in 1974 and he began his unique trait of
gathering lifelong friends. He grew up with a love of the outdoors. Hunting,
fishing, camping, and boating were among his favorite pastimes.
Mike graduated from Hermiston High School in 1984 and attended Blue
Mountain Community College, where he rode bulls on the college rodeo
team. Again, more lifelong friendships were formed. After college, Mike started
NW Transloading with help from family friend Rich Betz. He loaded and unloaded
railcars, fixed shifted loads and worked on derailments for the Union Pacific
Railroad. He loved looking at the large train wrecks and engineering a plan to
get them cleaned up. When his business was slow, Mike would work with friends
on their farm or help another friend in the septic business.
At the Pendleton Round-Up in 1995 he met his soulmate, Deannie. They married
three months later and the adventure began. They loved to travel, whether it
was by airplane or camper. In 2002 they had the privilege of hand-picking their
family when they adopted their three kids. Mike shined in his new role as a dad.
He was so proud of all three kids, supported their many activities, and loved
them all so much. He helped coach Grid Kid football and was an awesome
soccer mom!
In 2003, Mike and Deannie purchased Westfall Septic. On any given drive
around town he would point out, “We did their system, we did that one, their
septic tank is over there.”
When they bought a cabin at Tollgate, the activities turned to snowmobiling and
four-wheeling. Mike loved to plow snow and would spend hours on the tractor,
so his parking lot rivaled the one at Walmart. Again, he gathered more lifelong
friends.
Mike enjoyed trapshooting and was a former board member at the Hermiston
Gun Club. He also served on the board of the Sports Boosters for a few
years. Once again, more lifelong friends.
In 2017, Mike and Deannie decided to upgrade the motorhome and go south for
the winters. They practiced retirement at Outdoor Resorts in Indio, Calif., a
beautiful resort with activities galore. Mike resurrected his golf game and again,
added many more lifelong friendships.
When his first grandchild arrived almost six years ago, “Pops” and Ledger
became best buddies. They had many adventures and Mike treasured them all.
He loved Ledger to the moon and back. A few days before he passed, a
granddaughter, Willow, was born. Mike loved looking at the pictures and showed
everyone who came into his room. A trip to visit was top of Mike’s list but God
had other plans.
Mike is survived by wife, Deannie in Hermiston; son, Ryan (Karina) and
granddaughter Willow in Troup, Texas; daughter, Cierra, grandson Ledger and
soon-to-arrive grandbaby in Hermiston; father, Tom (Marilyn) in Casa Grande,
Ariz.; brother, Tim in Hermiston; brother, Mark (Peg) in Omaha, Neb.; nephews,
Steven, Tommy and Joe; mother-in-law, Nancy Sager in Mount Vernon, Wash.;
sister-in-law, Debi (Scott) Krichbaum in Carlsbad, Calif.; and nephews, Justin,
Dillan and Tyler.
He was met at the pearly gates by brother, Steve Simon; mother, Eileen Simon;
father-in-law, Ron Sager; son, Hayden Simon; and several close friends and
family members.
A memorial of Mike’s life will be held on Friday, June 23, 2023 at 3 p.m. at
Eastern Oregon Trade & Event Center, 1705 E. Airport Road, Hermiston, with a
reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Mike’s name to the
Oncology Department in Hermiston/Good Shepherd Health Foundation, 541-
667-3419, foundation@gshealth.org; or the Green Gables Guest House at
Legacy Good Samaritan where Deannie stayed, 503-413-4864, giving@lhs.org.
The family would like to thank the entire oncology department in Hermiston, his
medical team at Good Shepherd in Hermiston and his medical team at Legacy
Good Samaritan in Portland for the remarkable level of care he was
provided. You all are amazing at what you do.
To leave an online condolence for the family, please go to
burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
