Harry K. Simcox

***UPDATED DONATION OPTIONS BELOW**** Harry Kenneth Simcox was the best husband, father, grandfather, and friend in the world. A bold statement, but one that has indisputable proof found in the laughter, love, and friendship he leaves behind him. Harry was born on March 26th, 1946 to Gwendolyn (nee Nelson) and George W. Simcox in Chicago, IL. He immediately became the "little bother" of his big sister, the Reverend Lynne Simcox of Seattle, WA, who has fondly looked forward to their Sunday evening phone calls each week for the past several years. Harry's interests in his young life progressed from Boy Scouts, to cars and friends, to girlfriends. In order to make sure Harry didn't get too distracted by his social life, his mom Gwen packed him up and shipped him off as far as she could from Chicago to college at Murray State University in Murray, KY where she hoped he wouldn't get into trouble. It was there Harry met his match in more ways than one. While drinking beer with his buddies on the porch of a summer rental house he noticed the most popular guy in school washing a girl's car. Harry knew this girl must be pretty special to rate the extra attention so he found out her name was Karen Howard, followed her to the college canteen, and asked her out. That was in August 1969. On December 27, 1969 they were married. Harry and Karen both taught in the West Clermont Local School District for 35 years. Harry taught Social Studies at Glen Este Middle School, while Karen taught music at various elementary schools within the district. Soon after marrying, they settled down in Milford. Harry leaves laughter as one of his most enduring legacies. He was always the biggest personality in a room and made everyone feel special and included because he genuinely cared about every person he met. His sense of humor was notorious and his laugh infectious. He always had a camera in his hand, a throwback from his days in the 80s working a part time job selling cameras at Swallens where he excelled because he loved talking with people. He was the official "picture taker" of every major event in the lives of those who knew him well. During his time at Glen Este, there was hardly a person who retired who didn't get a handmade photo album from Harry complete with comments on every picture to help them remember those important years of their lives. His 51-year marriage to Karen, his wife, was never boring. As they got older he kept writing her love letters, although they were in the form of post-it notes, and they found hobbies to keep them out and about - their favorite was gambling on the riverboats in Indiana and then enjoying dinner together. Not only did Harry and Karen raise their own two kids, but they also ended up raising dozens of other teenagers over the years who came along for the ride, needed a place to stay, or just wanted some junk food and a TV. Harry always pretended that he didn't hear the basement door opening in the middle of the night when teenagers snuck out of the house to toilet paper a friend's house or do other crazy things that teenagers do. When his kids needed help he was there to help. No questions. No judgment. Just love and support. He was at every soccer game, every band concert, every graduation and awards ceremony, and every other major moment with a proud smile. Two of his favorite people are his grandchildren, Daniel and Sophia Matthews. Known as "Grumpy" (a story for another time) to his grandkids, he plastered every surface of his office with photos of them, sent them notes, visited as much as possible, and enjoyed hearing every detail of their days. Harry was so proud recently to send Dan a Boy Scout handbook from the early 1900s to celebrate that Dan has started to work on his Eagle Scout rank. Harry also was excited about Fi's all A report card this past semester. It is hard to sum up a life as big and full of love and laughter as Harry's was in a few paragraphs. He wasn't a celebrity and he wasn't in the national eye, but he made an impact on every single life he touched. Whether it was the woman behind the donut counter where he got his donuts each morning, the student who was having a hard time at home and needed someone to listen, a neighbor who needed assistance, or all the people stranded on the side of the road he stopped to help, Harry left an impression. He was kind, principled, and could always be counted on to lend a helping hand. He was the biggest man in the room, but would cry at a good sappy movie and wasn't embarrassed to do so. He was his wife's soulmate and a hero to his children. Those who knew him loved him and the world is a little less bright for his loss. No one could ask for more in this life or for a better legacy to leave. He had several mantras that he lived his life by but these were the two biggest: "One day at a time" and "God has a plan." Over the past few months of his illness no truer words were spoken. He left this life on January 4th, 2021 surrounded by those who love him and listening to his favorite 1960s music. Looking forward to being reunited with him in Heaven one day are his wife, Karen; his children, Stacey-Rae Simcox of Seminole, FL and Ken Simcox of Dubai, UAE; his grandchildren, Dan and Sophia Matthews; his sons-in-law, Mark Matthews and Christian Jansson; his sister, the Reverend Lynne Simcox; his nephews, Jaxon Ravens (Anne) and Ben Fitch; and great-nephew, Simon Fitch; numerous cousins; and untold numbers of friends. God Bless you, Harry. You are and will be missed, but God has a plan and we are so glad you have been a part of it. *** Donation Information: Many people have asked what charity to contribute to in Harry's memory. Should you wish to contribute we have chosen the Veterans Law Institute at Stetson University College of Law. Harry was involved in donating to this non-profit during his lifetime and was constantly proud and in awe of the incredible work that law school students do each day to help our nation's disabled veterans receive the benefits they have earned from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Donations to the Institute help to support this work by aiding in paying for things like transportation for homeless veterans to hearings at the VA, paying for medical examinations that are vital to proving a veteran's case, and outreach at homeless shelters to provide legal assistance. Should you wish to donate in his memory the instructions are below. - The link to donate is at http://www.stetson.edu/law/give - Use the pull down menu under "Designation" and choose "Veterans Law Institute" - In the Tribute Gift box you can check the box and note that the gift is in memory of "Harry K. Simcox" All donations will be used to support the mission of the Veterans Law Institute. For some examples of the Institute's work here is a recent article. https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/stetson-clinic-assists-veterans-teaches-law-students/