James P. Simone

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April 12, 1919- Oct. 14, 2008
PRICE-James P. Simone was born in Sunnyside, Utah on April 12, 1919 to Angelo and Angelina DeSimone. He passed away peacefully, at the Heirloom Inn, on Oct. 14, 2008.
He graduated high school in Carbon County. He enlisted in the service on Feb. 21, 1941 and served overseas in the Asiatic Pacific as an infantry man. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and while in the service he received the US Presidential Unit Citation, the Philippines Presidential Unit Citation, the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and the Combat Infantry Man’s Badge. He was wounded in the Philippines Luzon and spent 10 months in Army hospitals before receiving a medical discharge.
He married Wilma J. (Billie) Lamph on May 1, 1945, and they had three children, Mary Margaret (aka Bunny) Vansickle, Barbara Ann Clyde, and James Arthur (Cheryleen) Simone. They had seven grandchildren, Tiffany Leigh Jensen, of Wellington, Brandi Paige (Todd) Cooper, of Vancouver, Wash., and Caitlin Marie Simone, Lindsey Leigh Simone, Austin James Simone, Bailey Nicole Simone, and Kelsey Jeanne Simone, all of Riverdale, Utah. They had three great-grandchildren, Ashley Nicole Fisher, of Wellington, and Aurora Brooke Cooper and Karissa Allen Cooper, both of Vancouver, Wash.
Jim worked as a letter carrier in Price for 31 years. He was a former Carbon County Commissioner Chairman for four years, and he also drove the school bus for a number of years. There are a lot of younger adults who remember him as their bus driver with fond memories.
He was involved in numerous organizations. He was a member of the Mounted Sheriff’s Posse for 34 years, a member of the Carbon Sheriff’s Motorized Search and Rescue for a total of 48 consecutive years. He was a lifetime member of the BPOE Elks Lodge 1550, and served as co-chairman for the Christmas Charity Committee for 29 years. He was a member of the Price Lodge 166 Loyal Order of Moose and served four terms as governor. He was a lifetime member of the Price American Legion Post #3, a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Miners Post 2379, and a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 16.
Jim managed Little League teams for seven years and coached the Price Town Team for five years. He spent 33 years as an official for high school and college baseball, basketball and football. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 6147, Price. He was chosen as Grand Marshal of the Black Diamond Stampede. He was a former chairman of the Carbon County MS Society, and he was a member of the Catholic Church. He dabbled in quarter horse racing for eight years. He loved hunting and fishing, especially with family and grandkids; they were his life and love.
He has been an avid golfer for many years later in life. He was always willing and able to help friends and anyone in need and very often did, and he was a giver, not a taker. He was chosen for the Utah Sheriff’s Association Executive Award of Merit for long time service, and received one of two awards given statewide in 1998.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Tony and Gabriel, sisters, Mary Snowball and Emma Entwistle, two baby brothers both named John, and the beautiful love of his life, Billie. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren, one brother, Emil (Rene) Simone, and many nieces and nephews. His favorites being Jackie (Jerry) Majors, Darrell (Sandra) Entwistle, Henry Simone, Kathy (Marlin) Mitchell and Corey Mitchell. He loved a joke and told many. He will be sadly missed by his family and a great many friends and associates.
“I have come home to join you Mom.”
Funeral Mass was held Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008, 10 a.m., Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church, 210 North Carbon Ave, Price. Vigil service was Friday evening, 7 p.m., Mitchell Funeral Home, 233 East Main Street in Price. Family was at Mitchell’s Friday and Saturday one hour prior to services. Committal service, Price City Cemetery, Price. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home.