Mr. SIMON ODERBERG

FORT WORTH -- Simon Oderberg, beloved husband, father and grandfather, died peacefully Friday morning, April 10, 2015. Mr. Oderberg was 69 years old. Service: 10 a.m. Monday in the sanctuary of Beth-El Congregation, 4900 Briarhaven Road. Following committal prayers, he will be laid to rest in the Beth-El Section at Greenwood Memorial Park. Family and friends will gather in the Great Hall at the temple following the service at the cemetery. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, consideration of contributions to Cancer Care Services or Beth-El Congregation, in his memory, would be greatly appreciated. Born in Bayreuth, Germany, on Feb. 13, 1946, Simon was the son of Marsha and Joseph Oderberg. In 1950, the family immigrated to New York. Simon attended schools in Irvington, N.Y., and graduated Irvington High School in 1963, where he lettered in football and track. He attended the University of Pittsburgh, was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, also played football and track. After graduating in 1967, he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served as military police stationed in Germany. On Feb. 18, 1968, Simon married the former Jane Freeman, whom he met at PITT; this year, they celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary. After his honorable discharge in 1969, he attended Tulane University Law School and received his J.D. in 1972. Simon passed the District of Columbia Bar and was employed by the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC). In March 1974, he was transferred to the Fort Worth office of the ICC and worked as the senior trial attorney until his retirement in June 1997. By September of 1974, Simon and Jane settled in the popular and growing southwest Fort Worth neighborhood, Wedgwood. This home is where they raised their three children, Sara Beth, Joshua and Adrienne. Growing up an immigrant and extremely poor, Simon developed a love for automobiles because he had to fix up whatever he could afford or get his hands on. Over the years, Simon purchased several classic cars he worked on and either sold them or kept for family enjoyment. On most Saturdays you could find him at swap meets, car shows, or classic car cruises. After retirement, Simon volunteered with Meals on Wheels until his health caused him to stop. He always received smiles and comments from people he would deliver meals to in his classic cars. Simon was predeceased by his parents and sister, Anne Oderberg Varvaro. Survivors: In addition to his wife, Jane, Simon is survived by his children, Sara Beth and her husband, Chuck Thompson, Joshua and his wife, Kristen, and Adrienne and her husband, Zeke Pratt; and grandchildren, Avery and Mia Thompson, Jacob, Zachary, and Emma Oderberg and Roland Pratt. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mr. SIMON ODERBERG please visit our Sympathy Store.