Richard Allan Simcox

LONG TIME AREA MUSIC EDUCATOR, PERFORMER, AND DIRRECTOR DIES

Richard Allan "RICH" Simcox

76 of Cambridge Ohio went to his heavenly home July 9th, 2022.  He was born June 3rd, 1946, in Cambridge, to James Richard "Dick" Simcox and Delilah Elizabeth "Dee" (Sayre) Simcox.  Rich Graduated from Lakewood High School in Lakewood, Ohio-Class of 1964.  He attended Case Institute of Technology, Baldwin-Wallace College, and Graduated from Muskingum College with a Bachelor of Music – Cum Laude class of 1974.  Rich also served in the US AIR FORCE from 1968 to 1972 as senior Instrumentalist at Scott AFB MO and in the Command Air Lift Band in MO.

Rich enjoyed the outdoors, camping, fishing, and taking his many cousins on hikes through the woods on the Sayre family farm.  Rich's life passion was his music.  His main instrument was the trumpet and played on Cruise ships and in many bands including his father's Dixieland/Jazz band, the "Dick Simcox Big Band" which Rich took over and directed after his father's passing.  Rich played in the Cambridge City Band, the Zanesville City Band, the Coshocton Lake Park Band, and the Southeastern Ohio Symphony Orchestra to name a few.  He directed many area music organizations including musicals at the Living Word Outdoor Drama, the Cambridge Performing Arts Center, the Cambridge City Band, the Barbershop Chorus, Sweet Adelines, Land 'O Lakes Chorus and has been the Choir Director at First Christian Church of Cambridge since 1978.  Rich not only directed many performances at the local theatres but was quite the actor, having played lead roles in popular musicals such as 'The Music Man", "Carousel" and "The Flower Drum Song".  Rich was a well know music educator in the area, having taught in many of the area high schools, as well as Muskingum College and providing private lessons to many.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister Ruth Ann Simcox.  Rich leaves behind one brother, David (Nancy) Simcox of New Jersey, a special cousin Olivia Edwards of Cambridge, four nieces; Laura Hotalling of Missouri, Megan Simcox of New Jersey, Melanie Simcox of Vermont and Margo VanHeusden of New Jersey, Several great nieces and nephews and many cousins and extended family including his church family who were always there for him.

A celebration of life service will be held Wednesday July 27th at First Christian Church of Cambridge at 11:00 am.  There will be Military graveside services for his ashes at Mount Herman Church following the church service.  The family invites those who want to cherish his memory to attend the church service where a collection of his many tapes of the Simcox Band, Musicals, and the Church Choir will be offered to those who would like to take them.

The family also wishes to say a special thank you to Dee Thomas and her deceased husband Lowell Thomas who assisted with many medical trips to Cleveland and Canton over the years and his longtime caregiver from Fosterbridge, Leannda Meadows.