SIMPSON, Donald Reinold "Don"

SIMPSON, RICCI, BISHOP, CLYDE, ROGERS, BUNT, DICK

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 5/11/2016 at 18:35:19

Obituary ~ Donald Reinold "Don" Simpson
August 23, 1926 ~ December 20, 1995

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
December 26, 1995

Donald Reinold Simpson of Sonoma, Calif., formerly of Mason City, Iowa, died of a heart attack in Sonoma on Wednesday (Dec. 20, 1995) at the age of 69.

He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend.

Don was born in Galt, Iowa, to Leo and Minnie Simpson on Aug. 23, 1926. When he was 11, his family relocated to California. He was a member of the football team at the Sonoma Valley High School and graduated from there in 1944. In 1994, Don participated in the school's celebration of the team's 50th year anniversary, including a homecoming parade and introduction of team members.

Upon high school graduation, he joined the U.S. Army with his best friends, Emile Ricci and Charles Bishop. His tour of duty included serving in the Philippines during 1945.

After his honorable discharge in 1946, he briefly spent time in California before returning to Iowa where he married his former wife, the late Maxine Simpson.

While in Iowa, he spent more than 30 years as a general contractor, establishing Simpson Construction in 1955.

He was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ and the American Legion, and was active in numerous community organizations, including Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the United States of America.

Don returned to California in 1982, where he married his present wife, Doris, in 1985.

While in California, he was a skilled craftsman at the Santa Rosa Junior College before retiring in 1992.

He was an avid fisherman. His fishing highlights were with Alex and Matthew, his two oldest grandsons, on annual trips to the Midwest, with his Iowa fishing buddies on annual trips to Canada for the last 15 years, and with his son-in-law and grandson, Drew and Kyle Clyde. He was also an avid fan of baseball and tennis, all of which he had lettered in during high school.

Don loved playing golf, traveling, working on his wood crafting hobby and spending quality time with his grandchildren.

In Sonoma, he was a member of the First Congregational Church, the Sonoma High School Booster Club, the Sonoma Valley Rock and Mineral Society and various other civic organizations.

Survivors include his best friend, adoring and loving wife, Doris, of Sonoma, Calif.; daughters, Nancy Simpson of Shiloh, Ohio, Beck Simpson of Coffeyville, Kan., and Karen Clyde of Sonoma, Calif.; sons, Scott Simpson of Rockford, Ill., Loren Rogers of Richland, Wash., and Randy Rogers of Benecia, Calif.; the children's respective spouses; and seven grandchildren, Matthew, Michael and Marissa Simpson of Rockford, Ill,, Alex Covick and Andrea Bunt of Shiloh, Ohio, and Kyle and Collin Clyde of Sonoma, Cailf.; one brother, Roland Simpson of Napa, Calif.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Don was preceded in death by two brothers, Raymond Simpson of Napa and Clarence Dick of Santa Rosa, Calif.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 100 First St. N.E., Mason City, Iowa.

The family prefers that memorials be made to the Sonoma Valley High School Booster Club, attention Don DuPort, president, 20000 Broadway, Sonoma, Calif. 95476, the Diabetes Association or a charity of the donor's choice.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2016