Noted architect Jack H. Simison

On April 8, 2009, Jack Harner Simison, longtime resident and prominent architect, passed away at the age of 86.

Jack and his wife moved to La Cañada in 1948, bought a lot on Tocaloma Lane and proceeded to start building their home. It was here, 61 years later, where he passed peacefully.

Many buildings and homes bear his distinguished and creative mark, especially in La Cañada. He designed and built the La Cañada Country Club, La Cañada Pet Clinic, La Cañada Medical Center, La Crescenta Water Company, Armstrong Nursery, Hill Street Café, several communication buildings on Mount Wilson, La Cañada Valley Sun, St. George’s Preschool, Journey’s End Realty, Montrose Mall and it’s winding promenades, the original Dorsey’s building as well as many other business in Montrose, the Flintridge Tennis Club, his own building that is now occupied by Flintridge Family Chiropractic and Dr. Ken Tanaka, additions to the Avalon hospital in Catalina, as well as commercial buildings and residential projects on the island among many others. He designed and built many beautiful homes all over Southern California.

Jack was born on Aug. 8, 1922 in Xenia, Ohio, the son of John and Gertrude Simison. At the age of 12, the family moved to Pasadena, where he attended Eliot Junior High. From early on he displayed a talent for both the academic and the athletic.

He then went on to attend Pasadena Junior College (now P.C.C.) and graduated with a degree in aeronautical engineering. He went to work at the new and upcoming Northrop Engineering Company, working on the Flying Wing, a very early precursor to the B 17 Stealth Bomber. In 1942, he volunteered for the Army air corps and was sent to flight training.

He was then sent to Ohio State for training, but as the war escalated, the University of Ohio needed a Specialized Training Corp and he briefly volunteered for the paratroopers. While in Ohio he met Sylvia Fogle and fell in love. Once again, the army desperately needed men and they needed well-educated men to bolster averages in the troops that were not eligible to be shipped overseas. He became a tank gunner. He was assigned to the 13th armored division and landed in Marseilles, traveling north to the Alsace where he was wounded with a severe concussion that deafened him and injured his eyes.

He was then sent to England to be returned to the United States. He was rehabilitated at Hoff General Hospital in Santa Barbara and in 1945 was able to return to the University of Cincinnati and to Sylvia. He entered the College of Arts and Sciences in Architecture and was a Delta Tau Delta member.

Sylvia and Jack were married on April 13, 1946 and moved to his hometown of Pasadena. They then bought a lot in La Cañada and began building their dream home and started their family. He finished his architectural education at the University of Southern California and received his California architectural license.

Jack started his own practice in 1955, which he continued until his eyes started to fail him in the 1990s and he went into development of a communication center on Mount Wilson, Comfac, Incorporated, Allcom Enterprises. He was president until 2000, when they sold the business and he retired because of his failing health.

The Simisons raised their daughter, Dayl, and two sons, Eric and Brett in La Cañada. When they were growing up he was active in the baseball program and many of his kids’ sports and activities. He was a member of the American Institute of Architects, Pasadena Tournament of Roses, Optimist Club, Crescenta-Cañada Rotary, Board member of Los Angeles Technical College, La Cañada’s planning commission, a deacon of the Church of the Lighted Window, and an advocate for the beautifying of La Cañada.

Jack won numerous awards for his designs of the Los Angeles County Sanitation District Plants. One of his beautiful homes on Domal Drive was showcased in the recent La Cañada High School Home Tour.

Jack, affectionately known as Sime, is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sylvia Fogle Simison, his daughter, Dayl Ann Kiesendahl, of La Cañada his sons Eric John Simison of La Verne and Brett Erin Simison of Maui, Hawaii; son-in-law Jeffrey Kiesendahl, daughter-in-laws Jennifer Simison and Ingrid Simison, grandchildren Kori and Don Icardo, Rion and Jackie Zimmerman, Brittny and Brad Aspey, Jason and Tiana Simison, Jolyn and Rich Thompson, Travis Simison, Erin and Rick Rose and Crystal Simison. He also leaves seven great-grandchildren, Hudson, Channing, Landon, Chole, Wyatt, Brody and Emberlynn.

Burial will be a private ceremony at sea, but there will be a public memorial service on Tuesday, April 21, at 6 p.m. at the La Cañada Congregational Church, 1200 Foothill Boulevard (Church of the Lighted Window). All are welcome. Reception will be in the Church’s Fellowship Hall celebrating his life with the music of the Night Blooming Jazzmen.

We rejoice now even in our sadness because he can see and hear at last and is eternally with God. He will be terribly missed.

Donations can be made to the Foundation Fighting Blindness or the La Cañada Congregational Church.