John Anthony Simeone passed away on December 24, 2023 in St. Louis, Missouri after a long illness surrounded by his family. He was 86.
Born in St. Louis, John was the only son of John and Julie Simeone. After spending his early years working in the family-owned restaurant business, at the time a popular gathering spot located near the city’s Washington University, John decided early in life to pursue a career in law enforcement. He became a St. Louis police officer 1964 before joining the FBI as a special agent seven years later. It was a path that took him to Milwaukee,WI, Pittsburgh, PA and then on to Washington D.C. where he spent the bulk of his career. As an FBI agent, John worked on many high profile cases and national security matters over the decades, including the kidnapping of newspaper heiress Patricia Hearst in the early 1970’s. He later became a founding member of the FBI’s famed Hostage Rescue Team (HRT), a special forces-like unit within the bureau borne of the need to counter what had been a growing trend of abductions of Americans by criminals and terrorists — from Hearst in California to Americans overseas, especially in places like Lebanon and Iran during the 1980’s. He later became deputy commander of the HRT, traveling frequently to advise governments around the world on how to respond to hostage situations and terrorism, while overseeing multi-agency nuclear crisis management exercises at home.
John retired from the FBI in 1990 and resided for a period in the D.C. area where he served as a corporate security advisor to multiple interests including those owned by the Saudi royal family while appearing on television as a counterterrorism expert. He later returned to his native St. Louis where his son Christopher remains a police officer. There, John served as the chief investigator for the St. Louis City Circuit Attorney’s office. Later, he co-authored “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the FBI” which was published in 2002.
John is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis. He achieved a Master of Arts from St. Louis University and briefly served in the Marine Corps before being discharged for an injury. He is survived by sons Nicholas Simeone of McLean, VA., Christopher and John Simeone, both of St. Louis, as well as former wife JoAnn Simeone of Fairfax, Station. Va.
In lieu of flowers, contributions made to The Backstoppers, Inc. are greatly appreciated.
SERVICES: Visitation at KUTIS AFFTON CHAPEL (10151 Gravois Rd 63123) on Friday, December 29th at 11 AM until the service begins at 2:00 PM.
I am so sorry for your lost. My condolences.
Vinson
Please accept my condolences
May he rest in peace
Sending love from SF
John Simeone was an amazing person who I’m honored to have known and called my friend. The world is a better place because of him.
John, you fought the good fight, dealing with health issues with courage and grace, a true warrior. Now rest in peace. You are loved and will be missed forever.
John was a wonderful person, FBI Agent, and friend. Without questioning, he always had your back.
John was a great and unforgettable man. Beyond his impressive career, he was an extraordinarily loving father. His tender heart was very evident—and inspirational.
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him,
May he rest in peace. Amen.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
I extend my deepest sympathies to you and your family.
What an accomplished life! I know he will be missed. Thinking of your family during this time of sorrow.
Servare Vitas, Brother.
John was a Leader, a Brother in Arms that always took care of the Team and all it’s members, and was always willing to lend a hand to support all of the Team’s Missions. Be at Peace knowing you served well in all aspects of life.
John was an Exceptional Leader and always had time to Listen to anyone and was always a friend to all the Team, including the other Teams he interacted with. I always knew he had my back. Rest Easy my Brother.
RIP John.
I am so sorry for his passing and offer my condolences to his family and friends. John not only lived the good life, but the exceptional life, and will surely be missed by all he knew.
I knew John at Allegro Assisted Living in St. Louis. He was so interesting. He kept up with current events and politics. He read the Wall Street Journal every day it was published and assimilated the news. You could carry on a good conversation with him. He had a cute sense of humor too. He is missed already by numerous residents. RIP dear John.
Rest in Peace !! Roge Browning S/V
John was a good friend and had many stories that made you smile. Rest in peace.
John was a good man with a wonderful sense of humor. He was a Good Agent and a pleasure to work with while we were assigned to the Pittsburgh office. He earned his Badge. May he Rest in Peace.
John always had a smile and a good story for his Teammates. RIP brother.
Phil King
Condolences on behalf of the Texas Schaefer clan. May he rest in peace.
John was a good man. He was always sensitive to the needs of those around him. Indicative of that was his magnificent speech following HRT selection in which he thanked those who didn’t get selected and reminded them that the FBI was indebted to them for having been willing to step up. RIP John
I left a comment earlier but it didn’t take I guess. Please accept my prayers for my Cousin John journey upward home to be with his own parents. Uncle John and aunt Julie. It would have been my extreme pleasure to celebrate your Dad life with you. I’m sure your grief will cover your life ongoing. But let the joy peek through as your pain and cry and laugh with your memories of this great and kind man. Give your mother my love and respect. I’ll send a card to you care of Kurtis. Growing up with the boy who was my sponsor at my confirmation was a happy time we all loved the weekends at Grampa Pasquale and Gramma Fanny home playing street tag and going to the movies with our funny and wonderful cousins. Tommy Anthony and little Lucille. Was it the ITALIAN in us that made being together so special or did we make being Italian a wonderful way to live? Love you all SANDY SIMEONE ❤️
John was a very charismatic leader. He inspired those around him and I am honored to have worked under him. I enjoyed my telephone conversation with him following the 40th HRT reunion. Even though his health was failing him then, he remained upbeat and refused to give up the fight. Rest in peace John. My condolences to the family.
I worked with John in Pittsburgh. A good man and as pleasure to work with. My sincerest condolences to his Family.
John was one of those unforgettable guys. A great leader who always had a positive attitude. The consummate team player who made everyone around him a better person RIP John. You won’t be forgotten!
67 years of friendship. Too many memories and smiles to count. Recently our one half to an hour conversations. Our various ailments,
67 years of frienship. Too many memories and smiles to count. Most recently our one half to an hour conversations. We would compare ailments. John always won that one. Football, baseball, current affairs, politics, the police force and old college friends who have left us. John was upset with Washu for not getting enough publicity for the football team.I will miss those coversations as much as I will miss you. He always said, “old pal were the last two standing.” Well old pai I wish I wasn”t standing alone. R.I.P.
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