James Simpson,

OBITUARY FOR JAMES DONALD SIMPSON (1915-2003) James Donald Simpson, age 87, died Thursday, September 18, 2003 at Sudley Manor House in Manassas, Virginia. Mr. Simpson was born in Nowata, Oklahoma where he lived until he attended Oklahoma A &M University. After graduation, he married Anna Ruth (Thurston), in 1937. They lived in Oklahoma for a short while and then for many years in Texas, where Mr. Simpson worked for the Soil Conservation Service. In 1954, Mr. Simpson and his family moved back to Nowata, where he worked with his father in the family business. After several years, Mr. Simpson and his family moved to the Washington, D. C. area, where he began a lengthy career as a soil scientist with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Throughout his life he cared greatly for the environment and was a long-time member of the Soil Conservation Society by whom he was honored for his contributions. In 1971, he retired and moved to Culpeper, Virginia. He and his wife began a new part of their life, highlighted by traveling throughout the United States in their trailer, sometimes with their son, their daughters, and grandchildren. They continued their travels until just four years ago, and moved to Manassas this year. Don Simpson was known most by his family and friends for his love of traveling, gardening, and children. Always considered a magnet for children, for the last 40 years, he was enthusiastically involved with his grandchildren, in whom he instilled the joy he found in plants, exploring new places, playing dominoes and croquet, and spending time with kids. He is well loved and remembered, not only by his grandchildren, but also by his great grandchildren. Mr. Simpson was predeceased by his beloved daughter, Sue (Simpson) McGuire, of Manassas. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Anna Ruth (Thurston) Simpson; his son, James D. Simpson and his wife, Pat, of California; his daughter, Ann (Simpson) Brackett and her husband, John, of Massachusetts; two sisters, Marjean Gibson and Janet Brooks, both of Oklahoma; eight grandchildren, including Kim (McGuire) Smith and her husband, Randy, of Manassas; Angie (McGuire) McCoy and her husband, Marc, of Nokesville; Jim Simpson, Rob Simpson, and John Simpson of California; and Lucy Herzog, Carolyn Herzog, and Valerie Abeille of Massachusetts; and eight great grandchildren. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. September 22, 2003 at Price Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street, Manassas. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Condolences may be sent to www.pricefh.com.

James Simpson,

September 29, 1915 - September 18, 2003