The area lost a friendly voice and a strong community supporter when Raymond “Maverick” Kent Simonis passed away on March 18, 2019 at the age of 60. He was born on Aug. 19, 1958.
For many years, “Maverick” was welcomed in area homes as a host of area radio stations including for Power 95. His enthusiasm for the community could be heard every day through his broadcasts.
Prior to his radio career, he worked in seven VA medical centers and ultimately became the Director of Health Administration for the entire country. During his time in health care, he was required to travel a lot which landed him at 172 different hospitals and overseeing more than 1,000 outpatient clinics. After retiring, he started working at a consulting firm in Washington D.C.
His career included earning a Secretary of VA commendation award for his service after an earthquake in Southern California. The award read, “In grateful recognition of truly heroic deeds in risking your life to assist in the evacuation of all veteran patients to neighboring VA facilities in the immediate aftermath of the 1994 Northridge Earthquake.”
After returning to Sidney in order to spend more time with his mother, Maverick became the first Cherry Creek Media sales person to go on air.
His community activities included Sidney Chamber of Commerce events, the Jaycees’ Demolition Derby and the Richland County Fair. He always had pink mohawk during Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night at the fair’s rodeo.