James Wallace Simpson

RAPID CITY - James Wallace Simpson, 83, of Rapid City, died peacefully on January 3, 2004, on his 83rd birthday. At the time of passing he was a short-term resident at the Beverly Health Care Black Hills nursing home in Rapid City. He was born on January 3, 1921 in Meeker, OK to Walter Clay Simpson and Hope (Adams) Simpson. Known locally as Jim, and to his family in Oklahoma as Wallace, Jim spent his childhood helping his father in the oilfields of Oklahoma and struggled with his family through the Depression years of the early 1930's. Jim was educated through high school in the Oklahoma school system and then completed studies at a local business college. On November 5, 1940, he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps. In November 1942 he sailed to Scotland on the Queen Elizabeth and began his service in World War II with stations in North Africa and Italy. He returned from the war by ship to Newport News, VA, on May 31, 1944. Following the end of the war, Jim re-enlisted in the Air Force in April 1946. He was honorably discharged and retired as a Senior Master Sergeant in April 1961. During his long career in the Air Force he was also stationed in Alaska, Thule, Greenland, Rapid City, South Dakota, and Goldsboro, North Carolina. On June 4, 1950, he married Mildred A. Strathman in Rapid City. The couple lived in Rapid City, then in North Carolina, and returned to Rapid City in 1961 after retirement from the Air Force. Jim then began his second career as a public accountant with the Ketel-Thorstenson firm in Rapid City. His accounting work with Ketel-Thorstenson spanned over 30 years, retiring in 1994 at the age of 73. He was thankful of his numerous friends and clients at Ketel-Thorstenson. Jim enjoyed fly fishing and auto rides in the Black Hills. He often went fishing with close friends. He commented that of all the places he traveled in the world, the Black Hills were a special place. He also enjoyed RV camping in his later years and quipped that he quit tent camping permanently after living in pup-tents in North Africa during World War II. Survivors include his son, Ken E. Simpson of Rapid City; three granddaughters, Kelly Simpson McLaughlin of Sioux Falls, SD, Jamie Lynn Simpson and Lindsey Marie Simpson, both of Rapid City. Other survivors include two great-grandchildren, Daniel and Tessa McLaughlin, Sioux Falls; special friend Margaret Heavirland of Rapid City; a brother, Wayne Simpson, Collinsville, OK; and three sisters, Betty Click, Sapulpa OK, Wanda Lively, Shawnee, OK, and Barbara Barbee, Bartlesville, OK. Preceding him in death in 1991 was his beloved wife of 41 years, Mildred. Also passing away before Jim were his parents Walter and Hope, and older brother Lloyd. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Osheim-Catron Funeral Home. Services will be Thursday, January 8, at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Herb Cleveland officiating. Interment, with military honors provided by Ellsworth Air Force Base Honor Guard, will follow in Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. In lieu of flowers, his family suggests memorials to the American Stroke Association or the American Heart Association. You lived your life with style, honesty and integrity. We will forever miss you and never forget your love, constant support and gentle smile. May you be always blessed and watch over us.
This obituary was originally published in the Rapid City Journal.