Ted Simmoneau

Theodore “Ted” Simmoneau 1941 – 2023 Beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. Ted was born in 1941 in South Gate, CA to parents Ted and Virginia Simmoneau. He enjoyed life to its fullest with Ruth, the love of his life, to whom he was joyfully married for 47 years. He passed peacefully, with his sweetheart by his side in Payson, UT. Ted & Ruth Hagen fell in love and were married in Florence, OR in 1976. They joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints in 1979 and were sealed for time and eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple in 1980. They were a blended family, and the joys of Ted’s life were his two daughters, Kim Knowlen (mother, Susan Richardson) and Jessica Farnsworth (father, Judd Browne). Ted loved life, his family, his friends and his Savior, Jesus Christ. Ted’s entrepreneurial journey began when he was about 10 years old, working in his dad’s five-and-dime store in Northridge, CA watching for shoplifters and selling, among other things, mistletoe! As a youngster, he enjoyed going on business trips with his father and developed a love for magic and fun. He performed at neighborhood birthday parties and school assemblies showcasing his latest and greatest magic tricks. He loved sunning on southern California beaches and ocean swimming. He participated in high school drama classes and signed up for ballroom dancing, later confessing he did it as a good way to meet girls! Ted relocated with his family to the Oregon Coast in Florence, OR where his father built one of the area’s first motels along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway 101. In Florence, Ted played high school football, developed a passion for water-skiing and became a certified lifeguard at Honeyman State Park. He graduated from Siuslaw High School. He went on to study political science at the University of Oregon, where he was a fraternity house manager and member of the boxing and swim teams. He began his professional career in furniture sales in Portland OR at Meier & Frank Department Store. He went on to Smith’s Home Furnishings, where he became one of the highest producing salespeople. At age 21, Ted joined his father's real estate business on the Oregon Coast, and notably he became the youngest licensed real estate agent in the state. His unique ideas and original perspectives sparked a love for innovation and an ability to create and launch new business ventures. He was an irrepressible entrepreneur throughout his life. Over the next 30 years, his business portfolio included real estate, sales and land development, restaurants, jewelry outlets, mobile home restoration, marketing, stock-trading/financial services, and an unpublished book on secrets of playing and winning professional poker! Ted maintained active memberships in national associations related to these professions. He was a visionary and often ahead of his time professionally. Because of his broad experience, he was a sought-after consultant in several fields. He was active in state and local politics and sat on boards of some local businesses. He enjoyed associating with and mentoring young people starting their careers. Ted and Ruth lived, worked, and served in Lake Oswego OR, Foster City CA, Bend OR, Las Vegas NV, Salt Lake City and Payson UT. Ted enjoyed rigorous physical activity and exercise throughout his adult life, including tennis, running, weightlifting, walking, planking and…tap dancing! He loved the sun and traveling with his family to warm destinations including Hawaii, southern California, and Las Vegas. Ted was a foodie! He loved to eat and cook. Over the years he perfected a savory salad dressing that he gifted to family and friends. He relaxed with gardening, music, reading and movies. In retirement, he wanted to ‘share the magic’ and delighted grandkids, friends, and community with Mr. Bumble Magic performances! Ted and Ruth completed a church service mission at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building on Temple Square in Salt Lake City and numerous church callings over the decades. Ted’s faith and loyalty were unshakable. He expressed daily gratitude for the gospel of Jesus Christ and all the blessings he enjoyed in this life. Ted was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers Dan and Tom. He is survived by his wife Ruth, two daughters Kim (Patrick) Knowlen and Jessica (James) Farnsworth, sister Lydia (Larry) Lissman, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Ruth and the entire family are sincerely grateful for the loving care and service of Orchard View Assisted Living’s staff, leadership, and neighbors; friends near and far; the incredible support and expertise of the Aspen Ridge hospice team; and the love and service from leaders and members of the Dry Creek Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Graveside services are scheduled for Saturday, October 7. 2023 11:00 am Payson City Cemetery 400 N. 800 E. Payson, UT 84651 Services are in the care of Legacy Funerals and Cremations in Spanish Fork 3595 N. Main Street Spanish Fork, UT 84660 801-300-7992 To leave condolences, visit www.legacyfunerals.com