(The following obituary was provided by Simcox-McIlvaine Funeral Home.)
Born in Ephrata, PA on Nov. 21, 1948, Lt. Gordon “Don” Simes (Ret.) is proceeded in death by his parents Howard “Buck” Simes and Joanie Gilbert Simes of North Wales, PA, his sister Margaret “Peggy” Keyser of Lansdale, PA, his sister- in-law “Trudie” Ivanowicz of Hatfield, PA, and brother-in-law Wesley Wentz, of Milford, MI.
Gordon is survived by his wife Marlene Wentz Simes, of Montgomeryville, PA; his brother Howard Simes Jr., and wife “Sue,” of Telford, PA; his brother Jerry (Simes) Ivanowicz, of Hatfield, PA; sister-in-law “Jackie” Chivinsky, of Hartland, MI; his son Joseph J. Simes and wife Lynn, of Montgomeryville, PA; his daughter Joanna Simes Hassinger and her husband Paul, of New Hanover, PA.
He is also survived by his five Grandchildren, Nicholas and Joshua Simes, Zoë, Haley, and Rylee Hassinger
His nieces Jennifer Cipriano, Gerrielynn Paskill, Jackie Ann Chivinsky, Darlene Chivinsky, and Maureen Whelan, with countless great-grand, great-great-grand nieces, nephews, extended family, and close friends of 50-plus years.
After graduating Lansdale Catholic High School in 1966, he entered the Marine Corps in February 1967 and served until February 1971, having achieved the rank of Sergeant (E-5).
Upon release from active duty in 1971, he joined the Montgomery Township Police Department. During his career he progressed through the ranks from patrolman to lieutenant. He held various command assignments in the police department. His last assignment was as the Commanding Officer of the Administrative Division and second-in-command of the police department.
While serving with the police department, he graduated cum laude from Montgomery County Community College in 1976, with an associate degree in Criminal Justice Administration. He is a 1987 graduate of the FBI National Academy. During his career he had been an instructor and guest lecturer at various police academies, colleges, and universities.
Lt. Simes retired from the Montgomery Township Police Department on Sept. 21, 2010.
He was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps League (Hannings-Linderman Detachment), Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association, U.S. Naval Institute, American Legion, FBI National Academy, Pennsylvania Police Officers Association, and as a past president (2006) of the Delaware Valley Professional Police Association.
In 2006, he contributed an “Afterword” for the Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association’s publication of Captain Jack Holtwick’s “History of the Naval Security Group to World War II.” In his retirement he was researching and writing similar articles for publication that are related to U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. government cryptology efforts during the Vietnam era; with special emphasis on the National Security Agency contributions.
After retirement Gordon enjoyed traveling around the world. He spent his leisure time surrounded by family and friends.
He will be dearly missed by all that knew him.
In lieu of flowers the Simes Family would like donations to be made to the Tunnel2Towers Foundation or Doylestown Hospice.
Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly.
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