At 2:07 p.m. on September 6, 2023, our hearts were broken as Buster Simon left this earthly life. He was surrounded by his family and infinite love, as they lifted him up in prayer.
The second child and first-born son of Mary Louise Razook and Mitchell Simon, Bus was born on August 12, 1947, in Clinton, Oklahoma. He was blessed to be part of a huge Lebanese family in which cousins were raised like brothers and sisters.
A natural athlete, he was quarterback on the high school football team and played second base on the baseball team. He was starting point guard on two state championship basketball teams, and during his three years playing varsity basketball, his teams never lost a home game. He regarded these teams as the highlight of his high school years.
Upon graduating from Clinton High School, Buster attended The University of Oklahoma where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He continued his college education at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, graduating with a BS in Business Administration. Buster easily made friends, many of whom remained close friends all of his life.
In 1969 he moved to Dallas, Texas, to manage a chain of restaurants. There he met Susan Rahill. On December 17, 1972 they were married, and recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a trip to New York City. New York always held a special place in their hearts and they visited often. Theirs is a true love story.
Susan and Buster moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma, in 1975, where they reared their two precious daughters, Shannon and Sarah, to whom he was devoted. They owned and operated Buster Simon’s women’s clothing store for 20 years, making customers their friends. He served on the Board of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce and was instrumental in the expansion of the Downtown Stillwater Association. Buster then launched into his third career by joining MassMutual as an insurance and financial advisor until his retirement in December 2022. Buster’s exceptional “people skills” and business acumen made for success in each of his careers.
Greeting him in Heaven are his parents, his in-laws Pauline and Bill Rahill, his grandparents, aunts, uncles, brother- in-law, nephew, and cousins. Missing him always are his wife, Susan, their children, Shannon and Dan Wilguess, and Sarah Simon, and his treasured grandchildren, Sydney Wilguess, Austin Schoepflin, Daniel Wilguess, Jr., and Haley Simon. Also missing him are his sisters Sandy Simon Childress and Michele Simon, his brother and sisterin- law Paul and Jo Simon, his sisterin- law and brotherin- law Ramona and Sattar Zubaidi, his brother-in-law Steve Rahill, his cherished aunts Carletta Simon and Dee Massad, and his beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.
Buster was a good and kind man who loved fiercely. He guided his family with a steady hand and a loving heart. He fought the good fight, he finished the race, and he kept the faith.
Services include: Visitation from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, September 10, at Smith & Kernke Funeral Home at 14624 N. May Avenue in Oklahoma City. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 11 at Saint Elijah Antiochian Christian Church, 15000 N. May Avenue in Oklahoma City.
Donations in Buster’s honor may be made to St. Elijah’s Flowers That Do Not Wither fund.