Paul Donald Simon

Celebrating the Life of Paul Donald Simon. With great sadness, we announce the passing of Paul Donald Simon, a cherished son, brother, and dear friend. Paul passed away on July 18th, 2025, at the age of 38 from a slow brain bleed. Paul was born on June 25th, 1987, in Traverse City, Michigan and was a bright light from the beginning. When he was young, he loved to disassemble electronics so he could learn how they worked, did back-flips just for fun wherever he went, and found the tallest trees to climb. In high school, he excelled as an accomplished athlete with four impressive varsity letters in wrestling. By his junior year he attained more than 100 winning matches. Additionally, his remarkable curiosity and intellect set him apart, whether he was excelling in mathematics or participating in weekend mathematic competitions. He was well known for tutoring his peers throughout high school and college. Paul graduated from Traverse City Central High School in 2005, and later graduated as a Michigan State University Spartan, earning a distinguished engineering degree in 2009. In his professional life, Paul made a significant impact as an engineer, devoting eight years to North Dakota’s Volumetrics, Inc., as a metrologist and manager in the oil and gas industry. It was a career that combined his mathematic talents, attention to detail, technical knowledge and superior communication skills. Metrologists are the measurement experts who play a vital role in ensuring accuracy and reliability across many different industries and research areas. His talents and skills allowed him to manage research and design of calibrating instruments and measurement systems, as well as, to analyze measurement data and oversee research measurement science. After an intensive and life consuming career along with years of investing wisely, Paul returned to his beloved Colorado where he had enjoyed many snow-sports as a young man, especially skiing at top speeds. Later, his passions for adventure, the great outdoors, and disc golfing in the woods continued. Paul also cherished his Traverse City summers filled with beach volleyball, and boating on West Bay while surrounded by endless friends. His spirit and enthusiasm for life will be profoundly missed by all who knew him. Paul touched the lives of many with his warmth, intelligence, big blue eyes, love for children and animals, and an infectious dimpled smile that always radiated happiness. He will be fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His spirit lives on through the countless friends and family who were blessed to share in his loving heart. He is survived by his father, Don Simon (Linda Kelley); his mother, Renell (Steve) Fink; his sister, Chelsea (AJ) Yuncker; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Louise Lumbert, and his maternal grandparents, William Paul Kliemchen and Ruby Nell Kliemchen. On September 13th, 2025, from 12-3 pm please join us in a celebration of Paul’s remarkable life at the Traverse City Elks Lodge. Friends and family are warmly invited to honor and celebrate Paul’s memory and the legacy of love he leaves behind. Please share thoughts and memories with his family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

Paul Donald Simon

June 25, 1987 - July 18, 2025