Kenneth Lee "Ken" Simons

Kenneth (Ken) Lee Simons, 74, of Mason, Ohio was called home to his final resting place with the Lord on November 18, 2025

Ken was born on September 6, 1951 to Charles Simons and Shirley Huff who preceded him in death.

He was a veteran of the United Stated Air Force serving with the Security Police for 23 years. After his retirement from the Air Force he went to college and obtained a degree in Office Management.

He began a second career with the U.S Forest Service where he retired a second time after 23 additional years of service as a civilian. Ken’s Forest Service career was spent working on the Coronado National Forest. He worked downtown Tucson at the supervisor’s Office in Personnel Administration and Acquisition Management for a few years then moved to the Santa Catalina Ranger District at Sabino Canyon. He headed up the Business Management section as Business Management Officer. In addition to overseeing administrative and financial programs he enjoyed being able to spend many years supporting Wildfire Management Teams all over the country fighting forest fires.

Once he finally retired his health unfortunately went downhill. Fighting many diseases including CLL cancer, all due to Agent Orange which finally took his life. We will miss his love, his teasing, his sense of humor and his dedication to his family. He was the best husband, dad, and grandpa we could ever ask for. He will be missed dearly.

He served the Lord, as a deacon for many years at Calvary Baptist Church.

Ken was also preceded in death by his son, Craig.

he is also survived by his lifelong partner, his loving wife, Kyong Cha. They were married in 1974 and they spent the next 52 years together happily and raising a loving family.

He is also survived by his daughter, Melissa Simons, and grandchildren, Jose, Dimitri, Vianae and Lorenzo. He had one great grandson, Giovanni.

Other surviving family members include his brothers, Charlie Simons (Marsha), and Mike Simons (Kathy). Sisters, Patty Wilkinson, Cindy Simons, Diane Richins (Rick), and Beth Simons Smith (Larry). Also his stepmother, Kay Simons, and many nieces and nephews.

He also has many friends and brothers he made throughout the years in his military and civilian careers.

Please see below for funeral service times and locations:

Monday, February 23, 2026, at 8:30am:

Chapel Service- Marana Mortuary and Cemetery

12146 W Barnett Rd

Marana, AZ 85653

Military Service & Burial of cremation, at 10:00am:

Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery at Marana

N Luckett Road, Marana AZ 85653

Celebration of life to follow. Information will be provided at a later date.