Thomas R. Simonsen

Mulvane – Thomas Simonsen was called Home by the Lord Tuesday October 20, 2020. He is reunited with his parents, Svend and Lillian Simonsen, brother, Gary Simonsen, son, Darell Spoon, daughter in law, Franny Campbell, and granddaughter, Carmen Campbell.

Tom is survived by his wife, Pearl Fitzwater Simonsen, of Mulvane, Kansas.

Sister, Jeanne Sabatie, of Mahwah, New Jersey.

Son, Danny Spoon of Wichita, Kansas, grandson Josh Spoon (Melinda), great granddaughter Heather Moss, great-great grandson Liam.

Son, Xavier Simonsen (Kathleen Craig), of Freedom, New Hampshire, granddaughter Eve Simonsen (Rob Freeman), great grandchildren Serenity Rose and Archie Xavier; granddaughter Megan McLaurin.

Daughter, Debbra Wessels (Bill), of Springfield, Missouri, granddaughter Jennifer Marmon (Brett), great grandchildren Avery and Asher; granddaughter Julie Story, great grandson Taylon.

Daughter, Andree’ Sisco of Wichita, grandson Rocky Sisco (Andrea), great grandsons Rocky Lee, Xavier, Ty and Sebastian Lewis, great-great granddaughter Ariella, great granddaughters Savannah, Oriana, Adrianna, and Maryssa; granddaughter Angee Sisco (Evan), great granddaughter Zoe.

Daughter, Bernardette Mann (Davey), of Wichita, granddaughter, Carmen Angelica Chandress; grandsons, David; Scott Mann (Lupita), great grandchildren Alexandrea, Evan, Giullianna, Berlin, Joaquin and Diego;

Son Darell Spoon (Franny Campbell), both pre-deceased, grandson Ron Campbell (Pam), great grandson Seth; granddaughters, Cassy Campbell; Charmen Williamson (Michael), great granddaughters Kelsey; Amber Henderson (Jordan), great-great grandchildren Violet and Hunter.

Tom was born August 10, 1933, in Brooklyn, NY. Before he could walk, his parents moved further out on Long Island to Franklin Sq. He spent some time at Jones’ beach on the Island but spent most of his time fishing and working on old cars. Tom finished high school and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He completed his Basic training at Samson Air Force Base in Upstate New York on Lake Geneva. He showed an aptitude for all things mechanical and was sent to Jet school in Amarillo, Texas where he was trained in Jet fuel systems. Following technical school, he was assigned to Hunter AFB in Savannah, Georgia. He was in the 2nd Bomb Wing and made numerous trips to North Africa in support of the B-47s. After 4 years at Hunter, he was assigned to the 49th Bomb Wing in Rome, NY to work on the B-52s. Two years later Tom was assigned to Torrejon AFB, Madrid, Spain and was there from 1961 through 1965. He was then assigned to Kincheloe AFB, Michigan. During his tour in Michigan he was detailed to England and was part of a Bombing competition. He was then assigned to Udorn, Thailand, in support of the F-4s flying into Vietnam. He spent 18 months in Southeast Asia. Upon his return from Thailand, Tom was assigned his last tour of duty before retiring in 1973, to McConnell AFB, Wichita, Kansas.

During his time in the Air Force, Tom furthered his lifelong hobby of bowling; he often had a part time job at the bowling alleys at whatever station he was assigned. He even spent some time as a pinsetter. He volunteered his time with the youth bowling and baseball leagues. He was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout volunteer. Following his retirement in 1973, Tom worked for Public Finance, Best TV (where he met a life-long friend, Jerry Kroeger) and then to JC Penney, from which he retired. He said he hired on with JC Penney because he had met the person with whom he wanted to spend the rest of his life, Pearl Spoon, and she would not marry someone without a job.

Tom and Pearl shared a love of craft making, which they took up full time upon Tom’s retirement from JC Penney’s and Pearl’s retirement from Boeing. Tom was a wood worker and could make all things wood, Pearl was a seamstress/designer of bears and dolls. They called themselves Bears, Woods and Things at the many craft shows they attended. They consigned with a craft shop in Winfield and at daughter Debbras’ craft shop, Country at Heart, in Mulvane.

Following their retirement from their craft making hobby they traveled and spent time with their family, extended family, and friends.

Tom and Pearl were active in their Church, Mulvane Assembly of God. They volunteered innumerable hours of service to the community through the Church. They lived the Word of God and continue to be role models for us all.

Throughout his life, Tom was an outdoorsman. As a kid growing up on Long Island in New York, he found the fishing holes from which to pull the big fish. While in Georgia he spent numerous hours fishing in the Okefenokee swamp, always carrying a sidearm for the snakes that may be lingering about. While in the Upper Peninsula Michigan, he camped, fished and hunted. Many, many fond memories were made with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren while fishing the lakes of Kansas and Missouri.

Tom was a friend of everyone and an enemy of no one. His very large Heart and acts of kindness extended beyond his family, church family and friends. If you were Tom’s friend, you were family.

For Tom his most cherished moment was when he married Pearl in 1976. The two of them were inseparable from that moment to the moment of his passing. Tom and Pearl held hands when they were married and 44 years later, they were holding hands when he was taken Home to the Lord.

Tom will be missed. We are heartbroken, yet, take comfort in knowing that he is at Home with the Lord.

Visitation will be 1-8 pm, with family present from 5-7 pm, on Tuesday, October 27, 2020. Funeral service is 1:00 pm Wednesday, October 28, 2020, both at Smith Family Mortuary - Mulvane.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to his Church, Mulvane Assembly Church, 223 S. 4th Ave. Mulvane, Kansas.