Christopher Simpson Obituary

May 28, 1957 -

January 5, 2023 Christopher (Chris) Paul Simpson, loving husband, father, brother, uncle, and papa, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 5, 2023, at the age of 65 in Snohomish, Washington.

Born to Virginia (Randall) and John Simpson in Pasadena, California on May 28, 1957, Chris was raised in Everett, Washington, attended Immaculate Conception through 8th grade, graduated from Cascade High School, and attended both the University of Washington and University of Oregon. His wife has forgiven him for his time as a Duck.

Chris embraced a blended family when he reconnected with his high school sweetheart and LOML Riene (Harris). They married in Roche Harbor, San Juan Island in 2011. She survives at the family home in Snohomish. Chris leaves behind his beloved sons Sean and Shane Simpson and their mother Suzanne in Arroyo Grande, California. He will be greatly missed by his two stepdaughters Whitney (Chris) Rosa, Blair Niemcziek, and his two grandchildren Stosh and Ryan Rosa who were the apple of his eye.

Chris' tightly knit family spent nearly every summer at the family cabin on McKee's Beach where Chris was affectionately known as the Funcle (Fun Uncle) and camp counselor. Boating, waterskiing, crabbing, playing cards, sharing meals, camp outs and all manner of summertime fun made for memories that lasted a lifetime. Chris is survived by his sister Cathy (Rich) Roark, Karen (Steve) Moulton, and Connie (Duane) Henderson, nieces Nicole, Alissa, Lara and Katie as well as many Randall and Simpson cousins and lifelong friends. Chris was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother Craig Simpson who passed away in 2022.

A friend to all and a stranger to none, Chris was known for his sense of humor and being the go-to guy when folks needed a hand. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (Everett), San Agustin (Scotts Valley) and Saint Patrick's (Arroyo Grande). He was generous with his time and talents serving on committees, in music ministry and helping with annual fundraisers.

Chris was a master of the grill, an excellent cook, a talented, self-taught guitarist, and self-described "competent" golfer. His career spanned over thirty years in hospitality and private club management including Seattle's Columbia Tower Club, San Jose Golf and Country Club, Silicon Valley Capital Club and San Luis Obispo Golf and Country Club. He realized a dream of owning a small business and upon returning to Washington State capped off his professional life as a contracts manager for SupplyForce, an industrial supply company.

Chris' first love was music, both playing and listening. A lifelong Beatles fan we'd like to think he is sitting alongside John Lennon and George Harrison jamming right now. He was a founding member of the rock cover band Cocktail Weenies where he played rhythm guitar and sang vocals alongside good friends Jonny Fanoe, Larry Beall and Josh Martin. He lived for the annual "Seco Jam" where musician friends would gather annually to play and learn from one another. Chris shared his gift and brought comfort to others by playing and singing for Alzheimer's patients at local care communities.

Chris loved gathering around a table to break bread with family and friends. He loved preparing meals for others and enjoyed sharing his recipes and techniques. Summers were spent attending outdoor concerts, RV'ing with his wife and loyal pets Wilson and Sherman. A passionate fan of UW Husky football, fall Saturdays were spent in the stadium tailgating and cheering on the Dawgs with Husky Nation.

A private family remembrance will be held In May followed by a GuitarBQ celebrating his life on Saturday, May 27th. Details will follow.

A music scholarship at Our Lady of Hope School in Everett, WA is being established in Chris' name. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to this fund or Music Will www.musicwill.org. For information about the scholarship please contact lifelong friend David McCourt at [email protected] for details.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Herald (Everett) from Feb. 4 to Feb. 5, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Christopher Simpson

7 Entries

Carolyn

Planted Trees

Valerie Vaeth

February 12, 2023

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Teresa Root Pritchard

February 9, 2023

You and your family were always full of life and meant a lot to our family during the Immaculate years. Many meaningful memories.

VINCENT, TIMOTHY M.

February 9, 2023

Chris lived across the street from Woody Woodard and I in our Glenhaven neighborhood and was without a doubt, my closest friend during those `Magical Years´ of high school and college. Chris was a wonderful man who could light up a room with his smile. What I remember most about him was that, whenever I was around him, no matter my mood, I always felt like my steps were lighter, and laughter was so easy with him. We spent some great days and evenings together waterskiing at the Simpson´s summer cabin at McKees beach as the `Get Down Brothers´, always trying to outdo each other on the slalom ski, by trying to touch our elbow to the water, making turns on the ski. We would hang out at the beach, listening to great 70´s music (we were huge David Bowie fans) and make funny, of what I guess in modern times you would describe as `Affirmations´, sworn by `The red blinking light at McKees Beach´....a radio tower on Camano Island that at campfires, we would gaze off to in the summer nights. Reine, the love of Chris´s life was, of course, his top affirmation. Rest in Peace my brother. Thank you so very much for being a wonderful friend, always willing, ready and able to help out, and the amazing and kind words you gave me in the grief of my mom´s recent passing. God bless. Tim Vincent

Woody Woodard

February 6, 2023

I will always have great memories of the fun I had with Chris, the projects we worked on, playing guitars together, and the trouble we got into in Glenhaven. His passing was way too early, my condolences to Riene and all his family

Doug Marsh

February 5, 2023

Chris,
What great fun it was to reconnect with you and family at your mom's celebration of life--such good memories!
Rest in peace, buddy--
we can only hope to live as full and wonderful lives as you . . making this world a better place!

Mary Ann Harris

February 5, 2023

The absence of Chris from our family leaves a big hole in our hearts. He was such a joy to be around, and always greeted you with a hug and a smile. He loved family, friends, music, and life. I feel my life is enriched by knowing Chris. He touched so many lives with his music. I went with him to a nursing home to sing to the patients, and was so blessed to see the joy he brought to them.

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