Anthony James and Bessie Hedrick Simeon Endowed Scholarship

Anthony James Simeon was born August 21, 1910 in Uniontown, PA. His parents were James and Antonia Simeon. He had three brothers, Ralph, Frank, and Angelo and a sister, Mamie. Surviving are a daughter, Carole Lesley and husband, Robert Glenn of Greensboro; a son, James R. Simeon and wife, Emilie of Southern Pines; a brother, John; four grandchildren, Lee Lesley, Robert Lesley, J. Ross Simeon and Matt Simeon and his extended family, Betty Jo Knox, Lena and Clyde Hedrick, Nell Hedrick and Nancy Hedrick all of High Point. He came to High Point in 1929 and attended High Point University on a football scholarship and graduated in 1933. He received his graduate degree from Appalachian State University and did additional graduate work at UNC-Chapel Hill. He coached briefly at Kernersville High School, then moved to High Point High School, 1936, coaching basketball, football, baseball, golf, and track through 1968. A.J. “Tony” also helped establish N.C. State High School Coaches Association, serving as president, 1951, was Athletic Director for High Point City Schools from 1968-1976, and became a member in the N.C. High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. In 1974, the new athletic stadium, the A.J. Simeon Stadium, was named in his honor. More recently, the NCHSAA established an award in his honor, the A.J. “Tony” Simeon Courage Award. Over the years he has won many other awards. Anthony James Simeon, 94, formerly of Ferndale Blvd., died Friday, Dec. 10, 2004 at the Presbyterian Home where he was a resident.
Bessie Hedrick Simeon was born on August 4, 1912 in Denton. Her parents were Earl Ross Hedrick and Nellie Sexton Hedrick. She was a lifelong resident of High Point and was a graduate of High Point High School and attended High Point College (now High Point University). On March 26, 1937, she married A. J. ""Tony"" Simeon. She was one of the first employees of Alderman’s Studio until her children were born and she became a homemaker. Bessie Hedrick Simeon, 92, formerly of Ferndale Blvd., died Sunday, Aug. 29, 2004, at the Presbyterian Home.
The Anthony James Simeon and Bessie Hedrick Simeon Endowed Scholarship was established by their family in 2003 to honor Tony and Bessie Simeon. Anthony James Simeon attending High Point College and was a member of the Class of 1933. An outstanding student-athlete, Mr. Simeon competed in football, track and wrestling. He was also a member of the Akrothinian Literary Society, the Block “H” Club and the Dramatic Club. Mr. Simeon was a coach and athletic director for over forty (40) years, first in Kernersville and then at High Point Central High School. He won five (5) state championships and over 480 games in basketball. He also coached football and track. He is a member of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame and the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame. In 1974, Simeon Stadium in High Point was dedicated in his honor. Mrs. Simeon also attended High Point University. Mr. and Mrs. Simeon’s family includes Carole Simeon Lesley and her husband Robert Glenn Lesley, James R. Simeon and his wife Emilie L. Simeon and the Simeon’s four grandchildren – Lee and Robert Lesley and J. Ross and Matt Simeon. Recipients of the Simeon Scholarship will be selected by the Office of Financial Planning each year to a deserving student with financial need.