Dr. Hugh V. Simon, a former trustee of Tusculum College and long-time leader in the Presbyterian Church, died Sunday, July 7, at his residence in Greeneville.

Dr. Simon served as a member of the Tusculum College Board of Trustees from 1964 to 1975, and was secretary of the board during his tenure. He was pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Greeneville from 1960 to 1985.

In 1961, Tusculum College awarded Dr. Simon an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.

Dr. Simon had a long and distinguished career in the ministry. After graduating from Louisville Theological Seminary in 1950, he was ordained as Presbyterian minister and became pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Rockwood. He served there until 1954, when he became pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Pratt, Kansas. In 1960, Dr. Simon became pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Greeneville.

While serving in Greeneville, Dr. Simon also held leadership roles in the Presbyterian Church in the region. He was elected moderator of the Synod of the Mid-South of the United Presbyterian Church in the USA in 1966. Later, in 1971-72, he served as chairman of the organizing commission of the new Synod of the South, composed of the denomination's churches in six Southern states and portions of two others.

Dr. Simon was elected moderator of the Synod in 1977. He also served as moderator of Holston Presbytery and Sterling Presbytery. In May 1978, he received a "Devoted Service Award" from Louisville Theological Seminary at its commencement exercises in recognition of his service to the church and especially as moderator of the Synod of the South.

After his retirement from the ministry, he served four interim pastorates: Erin Presbyterian in Knoxville, Erwin Presbyterian in Erwin, Preston Hills Presbyterian in Kingsport, and Salem Presbyterian in Limestone.

In addition to his ministerial duties, Dr. Simon took an active civic role in the community. He was a lifetime member and a former president of the Greeneville Exchange Club. He also served on the boards of directors of a number of other community organizations.

A native of Kansas, Dr. Simon served in the U.S. Army Infantry and Air Corps for 45 months in World War II. While in the service, he met and married Sophie Fontaine Vass in Biloxi, Miss. The couple raised two children.

A committal service will be at held at 2:30 p.m. Friday in Andrew Johnson National Cemetery in Greeneville. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Greeneville First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Dr. Dan Donaldson, current pastor of First Presbyterian Church and a Tusculum trustee, will officiate. The family will receive friends in the Simon Room at the church following the memorial service. Memorial contributions may be made to Tusculum College or the building fund of First Presbyterian Church of Greeneville.