John Paul "Jack" Simpson

1945 - 2025

John Paul "Jack" Simpson

November 14, 1945 - June 8, 2025

Morehead City, North Carolina - John Paul "Jack" Simpson, 79, of Morehead City, North Carolina, died on June 8, 2025, at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville.

A memorial service to honor Jack's life will be held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, June 28th at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Morehead City, officiated by The Rev. Josiah Daniels. lnurnment will follow in the St. Andrew's Episcopal Church columbarium.

A Raleigh native, he was born on November 14, 1945, the son of the late Paul Ervin Simpson, M.D. and Marybelle Wright Simpson Jester. Jack was a graduate of Needham B. Broughton High School, Raleigh, 1964, Wake Forest University, 1968, Wake Forest University School of Law, 1972. He practiced law in Jacksonville with Erwin & Simpson, PLLC and earlier for many years in Beaufort and Morehead City. He served with the N.C. National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves, 1968-1974. Jack was a former Oblate and Associate in the Order of Julian of Norwich, an Episcopal contemplative monastic order. He practiced law from 1972-2015.

His law practice emphasized business, bankruptcy, family law, civil litigation, and mediation. He was an N.C. Dispute Resolution Commission certified mediator for civil Superior Court and family financial cases. Jack was involved in the early development of mediation in North Carolina. He represented the Carteret County Department of Social Services for twenty years.

Jack was past president and board member of the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce, a founder and past president of the Morehead City Kiwanis Club, past member of the Beaufort Kiwanis Club. He was a volunteer at the North Carolina Aquarium and Pine Knoll Shores. A devoted Episcopalian, he was former vestryman, senior warden, lector, chalice bearer at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Beaufort, former vestryman and lector at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Morehead City, and had served as a vestryman, chalice bearer, catechist and lector at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Jacksonville.

During his active life, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, offshore sailboat racing, and scuba diving. In 1984, he crewed in the famous Newport-Bermuda Race aboard the "Stormy Petrel," owned by the late Dr. Blaine Nashold, Durham. It was the highlight of his sailing life. As a college and law student, he spent seven treasured summers as a counselor and assistant sailing director at Camps Sea Gull and Seafarer, Arapahoe. He was a proud wearer of the Clan Fraser tartan.

Surviving are his daughter, Lila Henley Simpson, Beaufort, SC; brother, Paul Ervin Simpson, and wife, Beverly Hopkins Simpson, Raleigh, NC; nephew and niece, Jason P. Simpson and Lindsay M. Simpson, Apex and Cary, NC; and great nephews and niece, Seth, Shae, and Beau Simpson.

In addition to his parents, Jack was predeceased by his son, John Hunter Simpson.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Camp & Conference Center, P.O. Drawer 380, Salter Path, NC 28575.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory, Morehead City, NC.