Charles Edward Simon

Charles Edward Simon was born at Valley Station, Louisville, Kentucky, and lived a number of years next to Churchill Downs. He is survived by two brothers and a sister. His early school years were in Louisville, Kentucky and he graduated high school in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Charles enlisted in the Army Air Corps on Sept. 30, 1942, at Fort Benjamin, Harrison, Indiana. He was trained as a Cryptographer. He later served in China and South East Asia during which time he received the American Defense Medal, a Good Conduct Medal, and an Asiatic Pacific Service Medal along with the Victory Medal. He received an honorable discharge and was separated from the Air Corps on Sept. 25, 1945.

Some of Charles’s training was here at the Air Base in Walla Walla where he met a local girl, Evelyn Archer, and soon married. They endured 75 years together!

Charles graduated in 1949, from Whitman College with a degree in Psychology. He worked briefly as a counselor for the Penitentiary here in town. He later drifted into a sales position with Rawlings Sporting Goods and traveled the west coast out of Seattle and Portland. They adopted their daughter, Sharon Lee, while in Seattle.

After a long stint in sales they moved back to Walla Walla and bought Tommy’s Dutch Lunch from Tom Gardner. After success with the Dutch Lunch they started and ran Tommy’s at the Airport, which they ran simultaneously. Chuck was also active politically with the Republican Party and served a term as a County Commissioner. He also received a certificate of service appreciation from Walla Walla County and also from the City of Walla Walla.

Viewing will be from 12 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 8 at Herring Groseclose Funeral Home; graveside service will be on Friday, Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. at the Mountain View Cemetery on 2nd Street.

Any memorable donations should go to Walla Walla Hospice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA.