GARY E. SIMPSON

Gary E. Simpson, age 78, passed away at his home in Atherton, CA, on January 11, 2016, following a long and courageous battle with myelodysplastic syndrome. Raised in rural Fresno County, Gary graduated from Washington Union High School, where he served as senior class president. He went on to graduate with honors from Fresno State College in 1959, earning a degree in journalism, with emphasis in public relations and advertising. After gaining experience through brief stints in newspaper advertising at the Fresno Bee and public relations in the United States Army and with Pacific Telephone, he held senior public relations management roles at the California Society of CPAs, Clorox and Kaiser Aluminum. Gary spent the last 15 years of his career serving as Vice President of Corporate Communications for silicon valley pioneer Varian Associates, an international, diversified electronics company, where he was responsible for press relations, product publicity, community relations, financial and employee communications and corporate identity. While he embraced the role of corporate executive with remarkable dedication, poise and polish, Gary remained a country boy at heart. He was a lover of long drives along the scenic route, preferably in a car with some "get up and go", an avid weekend bird hunter, and in his later years, the proud owner of a "getaway ranch" in the gold country, where he often traded the bustle of city life for a landscape of granite formations and oak groves replete with quail, deer and feral pigs. He was also committed to conservation, supporting the California Waterfowl Association and maintaining suitable habitat for wood ducks, quail and other game birds at his ranch property. In his career and his private life as well, Gary was a true gentleman, unflappable in the face of crisis, and someone you knew instinctively you could depend on. Underlying his considerable wit and artful turns of phrase was a courtesy and respect for others that made it easy for those who crossed his path to become his friends. He is survived and will be greatly missed by his loving wife Sharon; her sister Patty; his son Clay; daughter-in-law Angela; grandsons Tanner and Grant; as well as an amazing array of friends developed over a varied career and otherwise in his travels. His family would like to thank those friends for their kind thoughts and deeds during his illness, which were appreciated by Gary and family alike. In keeping with Gary's wishes, no memorial service is planned. In 2003, Gary established the Bernard Shepard Scholarship at the Mass Communication and Journalism Department at California State University, Fresno, in honor of his former professor of the same name. The scholarship is awarded annually to students in the fields of public relations and journalism who show both excellent promise and demonstrated financial need. To date 30 students have received scholarships. Donations may be made to the Fresno State Foundation, with an accompanying note or letter directing the gift to the Bernard Shepard Scholarship at the Mass Communication and Journalism Department. Checks may be mailed to California State University, Fresno, College of Arts and Humanities Development Office, 2380 East Keats Ave. MB99, Fresno, CA 93740-8024.