Donald Phillip Simon

Donald Phillip Simon, 82, of Henderson, Nevada, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on December 28th, 2025, in Boulder City, Nevada.

 Donald was born July 4th, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan to Marjorie Sembla. A few days after his birth he was adopted by Lockhart and Viola Simon of Warren, Michigan. Donald grew up with his loving parents and brother, Jacques, who were inseparable despite an 8 year age difference. The elder brother Jacques, was proud to have a little brother and took him wherever he went, sometimes even on dates, with Don riding in the backseat. Don and Jacques held a strong relationship throughout their lives and were best of friends.

 After graduating from Warren High School in 1961, Don enlisted in the United States Marine Corps from 1963 to 1966, where he completed a 13 month tour of duty in Vietnam earning the Vietnam Service Medal.

 After returning home from Vietnam and being honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps, Donald began a career with the Detroit Police Department. He served as a sworn police officer in Detroit for a short time before eventually joining the Warren, Michigan, Police Department in 1967. During that time, Donald met Merry Nell Ferguson of Detroit, and the two were married on May 10th, 1969. He would go on to serve the City of Warren Police until his retirement in 1989. While serving as a police officer, Donald earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Detroit and a Master’s Degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. During his tenure at the Warren Police Department, Donald held multiple roles as a detective, police officer and attained the rank of Sergeant.

 After his retirement from the Warren Police Department, he moved his family to Henderson, Nevada in 1990 and joined the Nevada Department of Parole and Probation as a parole and probation officer. In 1991 Donald joined the North Las Vegas, Nevada, Police Department and served 10 years as a police officer before retiring once again in 2001.

 In 2001, Donald decided retirement wasn’t in the cards for him and went back to work, this time for AEG Entertainment at The Coliseum Theatre at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. Eventually, he became the Director of Security for AEG Entertainment where he would work until 2017. Some of his most honored work involved coordinating hundreds of events for top musicians, former presidents and foreign dignitaries.

 During his 50 plus years of law enforcement and security, Donald developed strong friendships that would last a lifetime, particularly with members of the Warren Police Department, Nevada Department of Parole and Probation, North Las Vegas Police Department and AEG Entertainment. He was thankful for all of those who helped him carve his path and never forgot their sacrifice in helping him achieve his career goals.

 When Donald was not working he enjoyed spending time with his family. His wife Merry and four children kept him busy throughout his life, whether it was youth hockey in Michigan or his daughter’s gymnastics and figure skating, he was always on the go. Some of his most treasured times were with his family at his cottage in northern Michigan, where he built, crafted and designed nearly everything himself. While building their cottage, Merry would make frequent runs to town picking up lumber and hardware, with multiple runs a day not being uncommon, to finish his prized cottage.

 Back home in Henderson, Don and Merry were avid hockey fans and season ticket holders of the Vegas Golden Knights. Although, Don still loved his childhood team, the Detroit Red Wings when they were in town. He also loved golfing, woodworking, cycling and going to his local gym.

 Donald will be missed by all who loved and knew him in Las Vegas, Nevada and Detroit, Michigan. A true patriot to our nation, he lived the Marine Corps creed of Semper Fidelis, “always faithful,” to his family, his friends and his nation. Donald’s excellence in public service was undeniable, serving others to make our country and community a better place to live and raise a family. His memory will live on in our hearts and minds forever.

 He is survived by his brothers Jeffrey and David; his sons, Tim (Solvejg), Chris (Susan), Scott (Jacquelyn), and daughter Shawn (Derek); grandchildren Schandler, Paige, Ian, Jacob, Tristen, A.J., Adrian, Shea and Aiden; great grandchildren Finn and Asher; his niece Diane; nephews Steve and Mike. He was preceded in death by his wife Merry; granddaughter Valerie and brother Jacques.

 Funeral services and burial will be held at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Veterans Memorial Drive, Boulder City, Nevada, 89005 on Thursday, January 15th, at 1040 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Honor Flight of Southern Nevada at 6720 N. Hualapai Way, Suite 145-176, Las Vegas, Nv 89149 or donate online at honorflightsouthernnevada.org/donate.

 For those not attending the funeral service, a live stream will be available by Star Mortuary of Boulder CIty, Nevada, through their Facebook page.