THOMAS FRANCIS SIMON
April 22, 1941 ~ November 18, 2012
Thomas Francis Simon, 71, of Jefferson City, died Sunday, November 18, 2012, at Capital Region Medical Center.
He was born on April 22, 1941, in Brentwood, Mo., the son of the late Robert J. and Eleanor (McCann) Simon.
Mr. Simon attended St. Mary Magdalen Grade School, Mercy High School, and received his Juris Doctoris degree from St. Louis University Law School in 1965.
He was united in marriage on February 14, 2008, in Jefferson City, to Diane Marie Hanson Scherling who still survives.
Mr. Simon was employed as vice president and general counsel for General Mutual Insurance Company, overseeing the companys St. Louis and Kansas City, Mo., areas. In 1968, he joined Monsanto Corporation as a corporate lawyer specializing in confidentiality, licensing and trademark contracts. In March 1971, he took a leave of absence from Monsanto to work as the grant administrator for the newly formed Missouri Law Enforcement Administration.
Mr. Simon then accepted the position of Chief Clerk of the Missouri Supreme Court in 1972 from which he retired in 2011 after nearly 40 years as the clerk. Mr. Simon was the longest serving high-court clerk in the United States at the time of his retirement. Since 1972, Mr. Simon has been the driving force behind the Missouris court system, helping shape its budget and the legislation that affects it.
Mr. Simons duties as clerk encompassed many activities. As clerk, Mr. Simon oversaw all of the Courts internal administrative functions, supervised the planning and administrative direction of the Judicial Conference of Missouri, and supervised the admission of new attorneys to The Missouri Bar, the organization of all attorneys licensed in Missouri. In his capacity as treasurer of the state board of law examiners, he supervised the two bar examinations held each year. In his capacity as ex officio treasurer of The Missouri Bar and its advisory committee, he was responsible for collecting annual attorney enrollment fees, distributing bar membership cards to attorneys, maintaining the official records of The Missouri Bar and the bar fund, preparing annual financial reports, and conducting annual elections for The Missouri Bar board of governors. In addition, Mr. Simon was a charter member of the National Conference of Appellate Court Clerks, organized in 1973 to improve the skill and knowledge required of those performing the duties of appellate court clerks by conferences, seminars or other educational programs; to promote and improve the contribution of the offices of appellate court clerks within the area of effective court administration; and to maintain facilities for the collection and dissemination of information and ideas with regard to the operation and improvement of the offices of appellate court clerks.
As the registered lobbyist for the Judicial Conference of Missouri (the organization of all the states judges and commissioners), Mr. Simon was instrumental in the process throughout the 1970s to reform the judiciary, culminating in the legislatures passage of a constitutional amendment approved by the states voters in August 1976.
Other survivors include: four children, Susan Becker, Leawood, Kansas; Joseph Simon, St. Louis; Keith (Christine) Simon, Columbia; Christina Simon, Austin, Texas; one step-daughter, Krystle Scherling, Kansas City; eight grandchildren; two siblings, Joanne (Albert) Mermelstein, Columbia; Robert Simon, St. Louis; and five nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Saturday, November 24, 2012, at St. Peter Catholic Church with the Rev. Gregory C. Meystrik officiating.
Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Cole County Historical Society.
Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
He was born on April 22, 1941, in Brentwood, Mo., the son of the late Robert J. and Eleanor (McCann) Simon.
Mr. Simon attended St. Mary Magdalen Grade School, Mercy High School, and received his Juris Doctoris degree from St. Louis University Law School in 1965.
He was united in marriage on February 14, 2008, in Jefferson City, to Diane Marie Hanson Scherling who still survives.
Mr. Simon was employed as vice president and general counsel for General Mutual Insurance Company, overseeing the companys St. Louis and Kansas City, Mo., areas. In 1968, he joined Monsanto Corporation as a corporate lawyer specializing in confidentiality, licensing and trademark contracts. In March 1971, he took a leave of absence from Monsanto to work as the grant administrator for the newly formed Missouri Law Enforcement Administration.
Mr. Simon then accepted the position of Chief Clerk of the Missouri Supreme Court in 1972 from which he retired in 2011 after nearly 40 years as the clerk. Mr. Simon was the longest serving high-court clerk in the United States at the time of his retirement. Since 1972, Mr. Simon has been the driving force behind the Missouris court system, helping shape its budget and the legislation that affects it.
Mr. Simons duties as clerk encompassed many activities. As clerk, Mr. Simon oversaw all of the Courts internal administrative functions, supervised the planning and administrative direction of the Judicial Conference of Missouri, and supervised the admission of new attorneys to The Missouri Bar, the organization of all attorneys licensed in Missouri. In his capacity as treasurer of the state board of law examiners, he supervised the two bar examinations held each year. In his capacity as ex officio treasurer of The Missouri Bar and its advisory committee, he was responsible for collecting annual attorney enrollment fees, distributing bar membership cards to attorneys, maintaining the official records of The Missouri Bar and the bar fund, preparing annual financial reports, and conducting annual elections for The Missouri Bar board of governors. In addition, Mr. Simon was a charter member of the National Conference of Appellate Court Clerks, organized in 1973 to improve the skill and knowledge required of those performing the duties of appellate court clerks by conferences, seminars or other educational programs; to promote and improve the contribution of the offices of appellate court clerks within the area of effective court administration; and to maintain facilities for the collection and dissemination of information and ideas with regard to the operation and improvement of the offices of appellate court clerks.
As the registered lobbyist for the Judicial Conference of Missouri (the organization of all the states judges and commissioners), Mr. Simon was instrumental in the process throughout the 1970s to reform the judiciary, culminating in the legislatures passage of a constitutional amendment approved by the states voters in August 1976.
Other survivors include: four children, Susan Becker, Leawood, Kansas; Joseph Simon, St. Louis; Keith (Christine) Simon, Columbia; Christina Simon, Austin, Texas; one step-daughter, Krystle Scherling, Kansas City; eight grandchildren; two siblings, Joanne (Albert) Mermelstein, Columbia; Robert Simon, St. Louis; and five nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Saturday, November 24, 2012, at St. Peter Catholic Church with the Rev. Gregory C. Meystrik officiating.
Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Cole County Historical Society.
Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
I doubt anyone was ready to receive the Nov. 18, 2012 news of the demise of our one of a kind Missouri Supreme Court Clerk, Tom Simon. His contribution to the Court and its system is immeasurable; we will continue to feel this huge loss in the ears to come. Our younger Bar Association members will come to learn, over time, this once in a career loss. Our hope is the Missouri Bar Association will set aside one special day of the year to memoralize his passing. Thomas E. Sims, Judge, Retired
So sorry
Dear Di,Tom’s service at St. Peter’s Catholic Church last Saturday was beautiful. “Chip” Robertson’s and Zel Fischer’s remarks were so true. I was unable to stay for the reception at the Capitol, but wanted to visit with you. I will always have a warm spot in my heart for Tom. Over the years, he gave me some great advice and I believe it contributed to urban renewal around our state. Whenever I was in Jeff City, I’d try to drop in for a visit. Tom was always in good humor, sensible, constructive and skilled in crafting good solutions. All of the Kerr family share your loss. We will miss Tom, and we will never forget him.Sincerely,Whitney
To family, My sincere condolences. There is no greater pain than the death of a loved one. Sometimes it seems almost more than a person can bear. Jehovah God helps us with this in His word. He promises us that He will put a stop to all sickness and death will be no more (REV 21;3.4) Jehovah also shows His love for us through the ransom sacrifice of His beloved son Jesus Christ. What a wonderful gift to be given ! Then the hope of seeing one’s loved ones again on this earth transformed in a paradise as it was Jehovah’s will when He created Adam & Eve . (Genesis 1:26,27; John 5: 28,29; Psalms 37:11,22,29). If you have any questions or comments, please contact me at: ricruiz@aol.com Sincerely.
You will be missed by your Truman Hotel family!
I am very sorry to hear about Tom’s death. Please except my condolences. He was a fine man to know. I am so glad I met him during the process of his retirement. Respectfully,Bette Rovik
I worked with and for tom at the Ramada Inn as Food and beverage Director in the 1990s Tom was a true friend told things as they were and helped me on several occasions–He is and will be missed.
Our sincere condolences for your loss.Tom was a good friend and he will be missed. Not the greatest poker player but a excellent host. When we played at his place he always had the best spread.
We are very saddened to hear of Tom’s death, he was a very dear friend. So sorry we will be unable to attend the Funeral as we are out of state for the Holiday. With our deepest sympathy, Tony and Christine Nigro
I am now an appellate judge in Texas. However, I recall clearly, over forty years ago, in September 1972, early in his career, Tom signed my law license. At the time, I was a law clerk to Judge Henley. What a man was Tom Simon! He always had time to chat with the judges’ law clerks. We knew if we needed to ask a question that we felt was too dumb to ask a judge, Tom would listen, would not laugh at us, and would help. Bright, extremely capable, trustworthy, a man of integrity, and a “good guy” is how I would describe Tom. May the “Light Perpetual” shine upon him!
I met Tom in 1977 when, as Chief Public Defender for Jackson County, Missouri I needed help in coaxing the Missouri Legislature to pass the first pay raise for the state’s public defenders. I really knew very little about getting this job done and I went to see Tom. He was so friendly, gracious and welcoming. I never forgot that. He was not only helpful to the cause (the bill passed) but his guidance and encouragement gave me the confidence to meet with legislators. Frankly, telling them that Tom Simon was in favor of the bill was an immense help. I will always remember him fondly.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Mr. Simon was a gracious and generous man who gave his time and efforts to me when he found out I had been wronged. He did the right thing just because it was the right thing to do.
I am so sorry for your loss. Tom was a man I greatly admired for both his competence and his companionship. I am so blessed that I had the chance to get to know him as a result of my service on the judiciary’s legislative steering committee. He will be greatly missed. My prayers are with you as you deal with this great loss.
Our condolences to all Tom’s family and friends. May God grant you peace.
He was a good friend, a great person to swap stories (and we had them from Law School and a decade in Jefferson City) and to share confidences. A wry smile always seemed to be hiding at the corners of his mouth. Never a smirk…Tom was too good a man for that. I will miss him. We all will miss him.