Carl Simoson

Carl J. Simoson, 86, of Waynesville, passed peacefully on Saturday, December 18, 2021. He was born on August 21, 1935 in Luzerne, P.A. to William and Theresa Simoson. Carl was the youngest of seven children, and as he would jokingly say, he was "a mistake." As the baby brother, Carl was known for his antics, and would proudly profess he’d missed his entire kindergarten year by skipping school – his sisters kept his secret. Despite being an academic rebel, he would go on to graduate from Siena College, where he played basketball. He continued his basketball career in the United States Army, playing across Europe during the Korean War.

Upon returning to the U.S., Carl courted Shirley Ann Sheehan, his wife of 54 years. Early on in their courtship, Shirley confidently shared with Carl that she would marry him and together, they would have three daughters and three sons. The couple went on to marry in 1958, and as predicted, together raised three daughters and three sons, who survive him in death: Ann Simmons (and her husband, Chuck); Ruth Simoson; Michael Simoson (and his wife, Jane); Joseph Simoson (and his partner, Ali Keyes); Christopher Simoson (and his husband, Tom Knutson); and Catherine Siers (and her husband, Michael).

After retirement, Carl worked to develop his childhood pastime, becoming an accomplished artist whose artwork was displayed in the Chicago Public Library and proudly hangs on the walls of his family members across the country. In addition to his art, Carl was a lover of travel, having visited numerous countries around the world, and being one of the few passengers of the legendary Concorde. He was a lover of all things Italian, and though he was born into a German family, he considered himself Italian, having married an Italian woman and having "grown up in an Italian neighborhood." But above all, Carl’s greatest love was his wife, Shirley. Following her passing in 2012, he would often share stories of their life together, referring to their marriage as "one of the great love stories." His family is at peace knowing that he will be welcomed at the gates of Heaven by his one true love.

While Carl was known as a doting and supportive husband and father, he was also known as an exceptional grandfather. He is survived by 12 grandchildren, Caroline Roten (and her husband, Jackie); Jessica Ginn (and her husband, Mason); Megan Skidmore (and her husband, Matt); Joe Dawson (and his wife, Ashley); Emily Wheeler (and her husband, Kenneth); Justin Simoson (and his wife, Erica); Andrew Simoson; Madeline Siers; Helen Siers; Austin Carlisle; Taylor Carlisle; and Gabriel Simoson; as well as nine great-grandchildren, Jackson, Avery, Sadie, Ayzlinn, Maisie, Worth, Quinn, Charley, and Harrison.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

The family requests that masks be worn indoors at all times.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to:

SonShine Early Childhood Academy, 1202 10th Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

Haywood Hospice, 13 Haywood Office Park, Suite 107, Waynesville, NC 28785

Haywood Pathways Center, 179 Hemlock Street, Waynesville, NC 28786

Salvation Army, P.O. Box 358, Waynesville, NC 28786

The care of Mr. Simoson has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes of Waynesville.