Simon Jerome Michelson, age 78, of Paducah, passed away Thursday, August 1, 2019 at Mercy Health – Lourdes Hospital.
He was a lifelong member of Temple Israel of Paducah and served as a partner with his brother, Louis, at Michelson Jewelers for forty years, helping grow the company into a thirteen store chain. His love of people and retail came natural to him.
Simon was a Paducah Tilghman graduate, class of 1959, where he was a proud member of the Tilghman Tornado football team. He went on to graduate from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa with a degree in Business Management.
Simon always loved the water, whether it was Kentucky Lake or the Florida Gulf. After his retirement from the jewelry business, he lived in Boca Grande, Florida where his door was always open to family and friends. He was happiest when he was fishing or entertaining friends on his boat or in his home. He returned to Paducah in 1998 and developed the first climate control storage company in Paducah. Simon also loved to share stories with his longtime buddies and could often be spotted at his early morning coffee group. Everyone loved Simon because his heart was truly bigger than life. He was always willing to help and do for his family while touching many with his kindness and compassion.
Survivors include his sister, Linda Michelson Orloff (Larry), of Chicago; brother, Louis Mayer Michelson (Sally), of Paducah.
Simon enjoyed being part of the hustle and bustle of family gatherings and particularly the youthful presence of his nieces and nephews and their children. Nieces are Lindsay Michelson Brown and children Bella Rose and Hutch; Hadley Mayer Kale (Bradley) and son Benjamin; and nephew Patrick Lally Michelson (Martha) and son Peter Louis.
Memorial visitation with be held from 12:00-2:00 P.M. Sunday afternoon, August 4, 2019 at Milner & Orr Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Paducah, on Hwy 62, with graveside service and interment following, at Temple Israel Cemetery at 2:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Community Kitchen Ministries, P.O. Box 1252, Paducah, KY 42002 or to a charity of your choice.
