John "Rawhide" William Simon II

John William “Rawhide” Simon, II, passed away suddenly on the morning of Friday, September 8, 2023, at his home in Charleston, West Virginia, when his notoriously huge heart failed him after a mere 41 years. A fiercely loyal and generous ‘Gentle Giant’, Rawhide’s famous hugs and intellectually charged conversation skills will be missed by all who had the good fortune to know him.

His actions were always kind.

A generous hand and an active mind.

Anxious to please and loath to offend.

A loving man and faithful friend.

Never shall his memory fade.

Born April 2, 1982, in Kanawha County, West Virginia, Rawhide was the third child and the first son of John William Simon and Leona “Roni” (Pierson) Simon, now Stone. Rawhide found his passion early in life when he was introduced to the computer sciences while attending Capital High School. After graduation, through a little formal education and a ton of self-study, he would go on to not only master computer hardware construction, but to also become a computer software specialist, even writing his own games and programs. His natural talent for all things computers would allow him to engage in what would become his life-long side hustle of building and repairing computers.

With an insatiable appetite for knowledge, Rawhide embarked upon the independent study and mastery of numerous and diverse skills during the course of his short life, including plumbing, electrical work, carpentry and wood-working, gardening, cooking and hazardous materials abatement. An intuitive instructor of any subject matter he studied, Rawhide could teach anyone to do anything and thus was a constant source of information and assistance to all of his friends and family. Proficient in the game of chess, he was always looking for a willing opponent. He loved any kind of puzzle or mystery and was a bottomless well of random facts and knowledge that could keep his friends entertained for hours, while also making a person second guess everything they thought they “knew” or had been taught. His infectious smile, golden heart and great big bear hugs will be immensely missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to spend time with him.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Emily Henry Harrison and Jerome Callahan Simon and Emma Jean Bowles and Charles Victor Pierson, his niece, Danneil McClanahan, his Uncles, Joey Simon, Chuck Pierson, and Tim Simon and his best friend, Neil Shamblin.

Rawhide is survived by his Mother and Step-Father, Roni and John Stone, his Father and Step-Mother, John and Rita Simon, his Loving Soul Mate, Margaret Mollohan, the Daughter of His Heart, Gretchen Frontz or as he called her, Red, Margaret’s daughter, Hannah Frontz, his Sisters, Suzette Conley and her husband, Brian, and Lynnette Marshall and husband David Johnston, His Step Brothers, Alan McClanahan and Billy (Jane) Boggs, his Step Sisters, Lena McClanahan and Ida (Allen) Harris, Nephews, Dustin (Jennette) McClanahan, Isaac (Savannah) Conley and Cody McClanahan, Nieces, Brittany (Charlie) Scott and Michele Marshall, Aunt Jeanie (Walter) Martin, Uncles, Vic (Jenny) Pierson, Sam (Missy) Pierson, David (Brenda) Simon, several Great Nephews, several Great Nieces, many beloved cousins who were life-long friends and partners in crime, and tons of extended family.

With heavy hearts John William Simon, II will be laid to rest in the Bowles-Conley Family Cemetery on Sassafras Road Charleston, West Virginia on Tuesday September 12, 2023 at 12 o’clock noon. Please join us for a graveside service with any stories that you would like to share.

The online guest book can be accessed at www.stevensandgrass.com.

Stevens & Grass Funeral Home, Malden is in charge of arrangements.