Taffe Simon

Taffe Simon loved God with all his heart, soul, and mind, and this truth shaped the way he conducted his life. He was born on March 14, 1920 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the son of Sam and Alexandria Skundra George Simon. He remained in Wilkes-Barre until he graduated from school. Taffe said he had no fear when he first entered the war in 1942 with the United States Army Air Corps. He was in his early 20's when he took aim at German fighter planes during WWII from under the B-17 Flying Fortress. He served in the 8th Air Force's 445th Bomb Group and 700th Bomb Squadron. He later was assigned as a tail gunner on a newer bomber, the B-24 Liberator, with the turret in the rear, which Taffe said was easier to fire at enemy aircraft. He faced danger and death multiple times when he flew a total of 30 missions over Germany and upon the return of one mission crash landed at Tiffany, England. He earned many medals and honors for his military service and recently received France's highest military award for his bravery there in WWII. His willingness to fight for his country transitioned to fighting for his family, friends, and community as he settled in Oklahoma City when he was stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in 1946. After his military service, Taffe took a government job as a postman but eventually moved into real estate and ran the Oklahoma City HUD offices. He was very proud to help any family moving to the area find a good deal on a home, especially the new Lebanese families. He was fair to all of his customers but would never turn down a good deal. People often would say if you look up the word barter in the dictionary you would see "Taffe Simon" because he was the king of selling, buying, and trading. Everyone was drawn to Taffe's genuine charisma, and he was honored with the title of Mr. Oklahoma in 1952. In 1956, he earned his law degree at Oklahoma City University. Taffe found the love of his life and married Ingrid Quitz on August 14th, 1997. They had a special connection from the beginning. On March 1, 1943, when Taffe was flying on his first mission over a Berlin factory, she was being born in an apartment building that was partly destroyed when it was hit by other American bombers that same day. Every day of their marriage Taffe and Ingrid said I love you to one another. A grandson best describes Taffe with three words, "strength, wisdom, and hope." He was a very loving, loyal person and helped all of us to become lovers of God and fighters for justice. If you were fortunate enough to have him say "I love you" you were definitely close to his heart and part of his family even if you were not blood. He peacefully went to sleep in his own home in his wife's arms. Taffe is survived by his wife, Ingrid Quitz-Simon; two daughters, Kim Simon and Janet Spitler with husband Greg; a son, Jan-Paul Edwards; two granddaughters, Angela Simon and Megan Wilkins with husband Caleb; two grandsons, Justin Leitner with wife Colleen and Jason Spitler with wife Megan; three great-grandsons, Broc Simon, Cody and Dillon Leitner; five great-granddaughters, Destiny Simon, Ashley Leitner, Hailey, Tessie, and Brandy Hausam; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers and sisters, and his son, Mike Simon. A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at Smith & Kernke Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation to: 8th Air Force Historical Society, P.O. Box 956, Pooler, GA 31322.