By Brad Palmer
Carbondale, IL – JOHN Y. SIMON, THE AWARD-WINNING HISTORIAN AND LONGTIME SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY CARBONDALE PROFESSOR WHO SERVED FOR MANY YEARS AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ULYSSES S. GRANT ASSOCIATION, DIED THIS MORNING AT THE AGE OF 75.
SIMON COLLECTED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT GRANT, EDITING AND ORGANIZING THEM OVER A PERIOD MORE THAN 40 YEARS INTO AN UNRIVALED COLLECTION. THE ASSOCIATION IS CURRENTLY WRAPPING UP WORK ON THE 31ST AND FINAL VOLUME.
SIU-C'S MORRIS LIBRARY HOUSES BOTH THE COLLECTION AND THE ASSOCIATION.
SIMON IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE HARRIET, DAUGHTER ELLEN AND TWO GRANDCHILDREN.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR JOHN Y. SIMON ARE PENDING.
