George Saad Simon

1/28/42 - 5/19/24

George Saad Simon was born to Athalene Wackym and Saad Simon in Gastonia, NC. He graduated from Ashley High School in 1960 then went to North Carolina State University, where he earned both a BS and Masters in Electrical Engineering. His professional journey spanned 36 years at IBM, where he started in 1966 in RTP, beginning with work on punch-card computers, and ending in the laptop division. He spent a special year at IBM in Stuttgart, Germany in 1976 where he made lifelong friends and joined friends from home to adventure in Europe. He was asked to come out of retirement to work at Lenovo for another two years where he was eager to help.

George valued loyalty, working hard, and playing hard, especially swimming at Master's and Wood Valley, water skiing, and biking the greenways. In retirement, he became a scuba diver and kept taking classes progressing through cave diving and instructor training while volunteering at NCSU. He delighted in taking students to the rock quarry and the Florida Keys, and diving with his family in Bonaire. Known affectionately as "The Big G," we will forever carry George's energetic spirit in our hearts as we honor him by participating in his favorite activities and seeking new adventures.

George's greatest treasure was the deep bonds he forged with friends and family. He was a loving and involved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. Always available to lend a helping hand, George solved problems with tenacity, and loved teaching his favorite hobbies, especially water skiing. Every week for 40 years he met with loyal IBM friends at Bo's, and for over a decade with a group from Wood Valley for a weekly beer night. He loved volunteering for the food shuttle, Master's and local swimming, girl scouts, and y-guides, cheering on the Wolfpack and the Hurricanes, attending pig pickings, oyster roasts, and any fun social gatherings.

George is survived by his spouse of 53 years, Virginia Urben Simon, daughter, Noelle Simon McLaurin and husband David McLaurin, grandchildren Simon and Vivian of Raleigh, sister Shirley Simon Bishop and Jerry Bishop of Mt Holly, and dear siblings through marriage, cousins, nieces, and nephews as well as so many cherished friends, whom he considered family.

We will celebrate his wonderful life Sept 7th at 1pm at The Church of the Nativity in Raleigh. Following the service, we invite you to share funny or touching "Big G" stories during the reception. We are grateful for the many therapists, fitness instructors, and caregivers who helped him be the biggest G he could in his especially challenging last year and a half of life following major injury. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Interfaith Food Shuttle, The Parkinson's Foundation, or Transitions Hospice.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/george-simon-obituary?id=55174210