Daniel Bailey Simler

Dan was born January 6, 1955, in Kirksville, Missouri to Margaret Elizabeth Bailey Simler and Billie D Simler. Growing up in the Kansas City area, Dan graduated from Raytown High School in 1973, and continued to Manhattan, Kansas attending Kansas State University and graduated in 1979 with the BLA degree, a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture. Many hours and good times were spent in the architecture drawing lab where friendship bonds were formed with his classmates and professors alike, sweating over projects and deadlines. As a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Dan served in many roles within the fraternity and house.

After graduation, Dan moved to Plano, Texas to start a career as a Site Planner with the City of Plano in the parks planning department. Becoming licensed in irrigation design and installation, he later went on to start his own Landscape and Irrigation Company, Perennial Image. Meeting a Texas girl, Laura Gates, they shared a 30-year marriage taking them from Texas to Missouri and eventually North Carolina. Dan then became employed in irrigation sales locally in Plano, TX, and later as a territory sales manager with Garden America and Rain Bird Irrigation. Dan’s career spanned multiple avenues, going into IT work in Raleigh, NC with Interpath, internet service provider, then later Progress Energy. Dan eventually became self-employed as Apex Backflow service and inspection company.

Dan was an avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas State Wildcats and his daughter Megan’s alma mater, North Carolina State Wolfpack. The family enjoyed many years of dachshund life and all their antics, and especially Grand dog Luke.

Dan was preceded in death by his mother Margaret in 2020, father Bill Simler in 2023, and sister Toni Schuster in 2022.

He is survived by his only daughter, Megan Simler of Apex, NC, sister Cathy Simler (Jim Dougherty) of Prairie Village, KS, brother-in-law, Frank Schuster of Edmond, OK, former wife Laura Gates Simler of Richardson, TX, Aunts, Uncles, cousins, nieces and nephew, and close friends who were considered extended family to Dan.

Donations to the American Cancer Society, and the American Diabetes Association may be made in Dan’s honor.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.apexfuneral.net for the Simler family.