John Simpson
June 18, 1907 - February 4, 2008
Obituary
John Simpson
John joined the family of Russell and Eulah Simpson and four siblings on June 18, 1907 in Gig Harbor , WA.
He is survived by his niece, Mrs. Joy Gest of Kennewick, Joanne Norwood of Aberdeen, and great-nephew Paul Smith of Washougal, WA. He survived two sons, Gary Simpson and Delbert Simpson.
John grew up on a small farm during the depression, farming with horses, growing their own food and raising pigs and chickens. There he learned the necessity of hard work, a value that continued through his long and productive life.
He and his siblings walked a long distance to their one room school where one teacher taught all grades up to eighth. There was no bridge to Tacoma in those days and to get there, they had to wait until a steam boat came by once or twice a week.
John was around ten when his father died in a flu epidemic. He worked then after school and week-ends as did his brothers, for near by farmers, taking care of horses and other livestock.
After coming to Seattle he worked for a short time on the railroad. He then worked for many years on the docks in the produce industry.
He found a piece of land he loved in 1934, bought it and built his home in Tukwila, with his own hands, happily living there until the day he died.
In his thirty eight years of retirement, he developed many passions, baseball, fishing, and hunting. His true joy was woodturning. He loved wood and tools and blessed was the person who received a gorgeous bowl, vase, candle holder, candy dish or even a wooden egg. He will be truly missed.
A Memorial Service will be held on March 8, 2008 at 2:00pm at Boulevard Park Presbyterian Church, 1822 S. 128th St. Seattle, WA 98168. Memorials in John’s memory may be made to the Cancer Care Program, Attention Foundation, Highline Community Hospital, 16251 Sylvester Rd. SW, Burien, WA 98166.
The Simpson brothers, Uncle Art, Uncle John and my father Emrie were three remarkable men. They were generous, kind, caring, sharing of their time and talents, complained little when times were difficult and the list goes on. All of them showed their love by example and actions. All three brothers enjoyed baseball. They were very strong emotionally. Uncle John attaining 100+ was truly amazing. God was not ready for him before then. I pray the brothers are enjoying a coffee break together with some type of sweets which they all loved. LOVE, Joy Niece
Grandpa, Thank you for all the wisdom you gave me in the short time I was able to spend with you.
Thank you for giving me the knowledge of how to use tools most women do not even know what they are called.
I am so thankful for being to able to kiss you goodbye on the day you left us all.
Hugs and a kiss Grandpa!!
Shannon
Before Grandpa went off traveling, I got to tell him how thankful I was to have watched he and Gram grow such a beautiful garden each year. I have always had a green thumb but never knew why. Turns out Grandpa was growing me up, right alongside those vegetables. Grandpa wanted to hear everything about my gardens. Last year I sent him pictures of my 7 1/2 foot organic tomatoes. At the beginning of the season he said it couldn’t be done, that tomatoes could not grow in such small pots. Well, they nearly grew us off the deck! When he asked how I did it, I told him, “Organic kelp and fish fertilizer.” He looked at the pictures again and said, “Well, I guess that would do it!” I was out in my garden all weekend. I am learning to prune trees and shrubs and don’t know what I’m doing but I forge ahead knowing mistakes are part of learning. Sunday was warmer and it was quiet. Steve helped me move 9 half barrels of garlic away from the greenhouse to the other side of the deck. Each barrel contains a different kind of garlic and I plan to experiment to see which ones grow best in this climate. Then I was alone for awhile and felt a great peace. Somehow I knew Grandpa had joined me. There was sun at my back and joy in my heart. I thought back to making soap out of bear grease with Gram and watching how flat clothes came out of that ringer washer. I often wondered how flat it could make me if I had gotten in there I was pretty skinny already. Sox came out of there really funny looking and that made me giggle! The afternoon flew and by the end of a 4 hour period we had planted about 100 snow peas, nearly 50 strawberry plants, and a half barrel of carrots under the new moon. I felt that Grandpa and I had enjoyed a relaxing afternoon together. What a beautiful smile he always has! I won’t exactly have Grandpa around this summer to ask how to deal with slugs and insects, so I bought the Organic Gardener’s Handbook of Natural Insect and Disease Control. I know hundreds of years of research went into this encyclopedia, but I bet Grandpa knows more. One hundred years and eight months, what a legacy! I won’t ever forget your great example Grandpa. I know with absolute certainty that very few moments spent with a child creates positive ripples for generations and generations to come! I love you Grandpa! I love both of you! Thanks for having the courage to be who you are!
Even though I did not get to spend as much time with my Grandpa Johnny I have very special memories of him.
I was fortunate to be able to go to a Mariner’s game just the 2 of us. We had a great time discussing the game of baseball and cheering on the team.
I always had a great time with Grandpa and really enjoyed him talking about him growing up and his wood working. I loved the twinkle in his eye.
I will definitely miss you and I am thankful you were my grandpa. Love you Grandpa!
Laurie
I was fortunate to see grandpa the morning he passed away. I will always remember the big grin on his face when the lady from hospice was giving him a sponge bath. I know that he truly enjoyed that. We miss you grandpa
Jim, Landon & Cody