John Simpson

1935 - 2021

John Arthur Simpson, M.D.
July 6, 1935 - February 10, 2021Heaven has opened its gates to welcome John Arthur Simpson, MD (July 6 1935-February 10 2021), formerly of Fairfield and Easton CT. Dr. "Jack", as he was affectionately known to his patients, went home to his Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, while peacefully at home in Las Vegas with his adoring wife Edwina by his side.
Jack was the oldest son of seven children born to the late John A. Simpson MD and the late Agnes Simpson. He was a second generation Irish immigrant and was gifted the enormous intellect of his father, also a doctor. Jack grew up in Washington DC and attended Gonzaga Jesuit High School, Georgetown University and Georgetown Medical School. It was at the latter that he was valedictorian of the Class of 1960 and awarded the Kober Medal, an honor given to the outstanding student of each year's graduating medical school class. Following medical school, he served in the United States Army at Fort Collins Colorado before heading East to complete a residency in gastroenterology at Yale University School of Medicine.
Jack was a thinker. He loved learning and was known for being an avid reader who would meticulously study a subject of interest. Be it history, birds, gardening, and especially the Bible, Jack was a go to person for advice and facts on many subjects.
It was impossible to know Jack and not think of football. He followed in his father's footsteps, playing football as an offensive guard at Gonzaga Jesuit High School under the legendary coach Joe Kozik. He was also a lifelong super fan of the Washington Football Team, formerly known as the Washington Redskins, and celebrated their three Super Bowl wins under Coach Joe Gibbs. He knew football from every angle, and it was a passion for him throughout his life.
But Jack will be best remembered for having a quiet, humble, and gentle soul who carried the love of Jesus Christ within him. On a daily basis, he did his best to demonstrate that same love to everyone he knew and met. When his father died suddenly at age 49, Jack, as the oldest of seven children, became a surrogate father to his younger siblings when he was just 19 years old.
Fast forward to the last years of his medical career, a career that ended only last year at age 84. He spent the final years of his career dedicated to the provision of medical care to residents of the Las Vegas Rescue Mission, a local homeless shelter. A man with forty years of sobriety from alcohol himself, Jack also regularly led 12 step groups for the Mission residents. He was the relatable and accessible doctor we all wish we had.
Jack will be lovingly missed and forever celebrated by his wife, Edwina Simpson, with whom he spent the last and happiest 20 years of his life. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Agnes Simpson, sister Celene Manning, and brother Robert Simpson (Sue). His siblings Sister Sharon Simpson, Tom Simpson (Judy), Agnes Pittaro and Michael Simpson (Pat) will keep him and Edwina in their prayers and will look forward to the day that they meet again beyond the gates of Heaven. Jack's five daughters: Cathleen Simpson, Maura Simpson, Christine Simpson (Rick), Leah Simpson (Ken) and Noelle Slifka (Scott) will continue to carry Jack's torch and legacy. He will greet his deceased stepdaughter, Helen, at Heaven's entrance, and will be fondly and forever remembered by his surviving stepchildren, Steven (Chriselle) and Kris. Jack also leaves behind countless nieces, nephews, grandchildren and even great grandchildren.
The following words, taken from the eulogy given by Reverend James Magner at Jack's father's funeral (October 28, 1954), perhaps best exemplifies Dr. Jack's life:
"Unselfish dedication to the alleviation and cure of pain merits our gratitude at all times. But when, as in the career of him whom we mourn and honor today, this dedication is motivated by the desire to serve God and to bring the light of a supernatural charity and hope into the service of man, we find an inspiration which no amount of gold can quicken, measure, or repay."
To honor his memory and continue his legacy of helping the homeless, it's asked that a donation be made to the Las Vegas Rescue Mission at https://vegasrescue.org/donate/ or Operation Hope at https://operationhopect.org/donate/.