The Man, The Myth, The Legend - Simon Alexander Clarich

Aka Guero, Cuchi, Honey, Popo, and Dad.

Simon graced our precious world for 85 years, from August 3, 1937 to November 18, 2022. He entered into eternity, joining the love of his life, Norma Godoy Clarich, where they, no doubt, will reunite on the dance floor forever.

Simon, a lifelong musician, brought joy to the world, singing his entire life.  He began his musical career at a very early age, singing with his favorite duet partner, his brother Chris.  Simon was always happy to honor requests at any and all events, and there were many.  Some of our favorite requests included "Volver", "Wake up Little Susie", "Dream, Dream, Dream", "Aurora", "Las Mananitas", "Besa Me Mucho", "Sabor A Mi", "Nosotros", "Reloj", "Nunca Hamas", "El Rey", "If You Don't Know Me By Now", "Sin Ti", and  "My Way". His voice was the soundtrack to our lives.

With his legendary sense of humor and kind soul, Simon was loved and adored by his five daughters: Cynthia Clarich, Casilda Clarich, Dr. Criselda Clarich Leal and son-in-law, Amando Leal, Cinia Clarich Montoya, and Cassandra Clarich.  They say a daughter's first love is her father, and that was never more true than with each of Simon's five daughters.

Simon was so proud of each of his grandchildren.  He leaves behind his grandchildren: Celina Polanco, Dr. Natalie Villarreal, Yvette Polanco, Jason Fien, Candace Leal Hanson (Erik), Marcus Fien, Christopher Llewellyn, Krista Samaniego, Daniel Montoya, Alexander Llewellyn, Gabriela Montoya, Simon Samaniego,  Cristina Llewellyn, and Claudia Leal; great grandchildren:  Sofia Hanson, Hektor Hanson, Annalissa Hanson, Camila Hanson, Derek Montoya, and Cali Montoya.

Simon is also survived by his two sisters, Annie Marie Ortiz of Houston, Texas, and Nenona Ortega of California. He will be reunited with his brother, Chris Clarich, his sister, Christine Dominguez, his mother Zenona Quintero, and father, Christopher Clarich.

A proud graduate of Roy Miller High School (1957), Simon holds a (retired) state record in track and hurdles which will always remain in the record books.  He was inducted into the Roy Miller Athletic Hall of Fame.  He loved sports his entire life.  He enjoyed watching the Dallas Cowboys, Spurs, and University of Texas Longhorn games, especially when they would win. He also shared his love of fishing and golf with his grandchildren.

Retired from the Corpus Christi Naval Base, Simon had previously worked in sales for KUNO Spanish Radio Station and the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. He was known for his quick wit, jokes, and charismatic personality.

He was our father, our children's grandfather, our brother, uncle, cousin, and friend.  He was loved by all, he was our musician, and he lived his life with love, passion, humor, and music, fulfilling a life well lived.

As Simon would say, "I did it My Way."

Public visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. Sunday, November 20, 2022 at Guardian funeral home chapel with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 6:30 p.m. by his son-in-law Rev. Deacon Armando Leal.  Funeral procession will depart Guardian funeral home on Monday, November 21, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. for a 10:00 a.m. Funeral Mass at the Corpus Christi Cathedral Catholic church. Burial will follow in Seaside Memorial Park cemetery.