Extracted from the Kerrville Daily Times (Kerrville, TX)
Ned E. Simes
FREDERICKSBURG - Ned E. Simes, of Stonewall, died June 19, 2004.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Kemper Nelwyn Brown.
He is survived by his sister, Maris S. Penn; his children, Nelwyn S. Belt and son-in-law, Walter E. Belt, and E. Lee Simes, M.D., and his wife, Suzon M. Simes; his grandchildren, Rhianna and Adrienne Simes, Mallory and Harrison Belt; and loving nieces and nephews.
Ned was born Jan. 5, 1922, in Bedias, Texas. After the death of his father Goree, his mother, Bess, moved to Houston and later married E. Lee Bond. At Houston's San Jacinto High School, he played ice hockey and baseball. After graduation, he attended the University of Houston until he enlisted in the Marine Corps, serving in the South Pacific.
Upon discharge, he attended LSU and graduated as a civil engineer. His professional life was in the international off-shore drilling business.
His curiosity about wines led to his creation of Grape Creek Winery in 1985 and his role as one of the founders of the Hill Country Wine industry.
True to his nature, he remained active in the family business and bottled 8,000 bottles of wine the week prior to his death.
Memorial services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 10, at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church.
The family requests donations be made to the Stonewall Fire Department/First Responders or to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements are under the direction of Beckmann Funeral Home, in Fredericksburg, (830) 997-7511.
Thursday, July 1, 2004