Ronald Budd Simons

6/22/2022

Ronald Budd Simons, age 86 of San Jose, California passed away while on his daily walk/run in his beloved Almaden neighborhood on June 22, 2022. There was a joyous reunion with the love of his life, his wife of nearly 60 years, Janice (and his grandsons Brady and Dag). Budd and Jan
had 6 children, 27 grandchildren, and 25 great grandchildren.
Budd was a brilliant, generous and kind man, who made those around him feel special.
His father died while serving others when Budd was only 10 years old. It was a great example that Budd always tried to emulate. It made him always want to be there to step in where he was needed in someone’s life. Whether you were family or not, he made you feel like you were. He attended Brigham Young University where he met and fell in love with Jan. After he graduated with a masters degree in Chemical Engineering, Budd and Jan were married in the Los Angeles Temple. He then began his career at General Electric as a Chemical and Nuclear Engineer in San Jose until his retirement 36 years later. He also started his own real estate business with Jan.
After retiring from GE, Budd started running marathons when he was 59 years old. He would run in at least one every year until he was 80. He even qualified and ran in the Boston Marathon 3 times. He made sure to run or walk nearly everyday. Even when he was on a cruise or his many trips all over the world from Tahiti to Peru to Greece and many other destinations. He was
always running. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, he served in many callings, but enjoyed working most with the youth. He taught many how to finish concrete which began as a building-fund project. He especially enjoyed scouting. He went on many hiking, biking and camping trips.
He worked hard at his career, but his time spent with family was the most important to him. He loved to ski, play basketball, softball and golf. He was a pilot and would fly the family around. He loved watching his children and grandchildren play in all their various sports and competitions. He was an avid BYU fan. He would travel almost anywhere to be able to attend games.
He always had a dozen projects going on. Whether it was a house he was repairing,
remodeling, building, pouring a driveway, or a car he was working on in his “spare time”. He taught his children the value of hard work and the value of loving one another through example.
Budd was preceded in death by his wife, Jan, his parents, two sisters Carol and Kathleen that died as infants and two grandsons, Dag and Brady.
He used to always joke that on his tombstone we should write “Here lies Budd Simons. He
started many projects but never fini…..”
The project he did finish gloriously was his wonderful life and the beautiful family and friends he surrounded himself with.
I’m sure when he crossed the veil, he was met with the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
A public viewing will be held July 1 from 6-8 pm at the Chapel of the Hills 615 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos, California.

Burial will be in Mt. Pleasant, Utah on July 6, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers please show kindness to a stranger, hug a family member, go on a walk or heal a relationship.

Click Here to Watch Recorded Graveside Service. The recording will be available for 60 days from 7/6/2022