Danny Gerald Simpson

KILGORE — Services for Danny Gerald Simpson 73, of Kilgore, will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at Rader Funeral Home Chapel in Kilgore, with Pastor Luke Kimbley officiating. Burial will follow in Danville Cemetery. Danny Gerald Simpson passed away June 15, 2013, peacefully at home.
Danny was born October 31, 1939, in Oklahoma City, Okla., to Orval and Elsie Simpson, deceased. He was a Baptist and was saved February 10, 1957, and baptized a week later on February 17, 1957, in Coleman, Texas.
Danny worked in several different occupations before beginning his career in the oil industry in 1957, working with his dad at Orval Simpson Well Service.
From there, in 1967, he and his family started an exciting life journey and traveled to Malta, and Tripoli, Libya, where he was employed with Intairdril, Libya, Ltd. While Dan worked in the Sahara desert, his family lived by the Mediterranean Sea.
In 1978, the Simpson family returned to the United States and made their home in Kilgore. Dan was employed with Brooks Well Service in Kilgore for several years prior to accepting a position as rig supervisor in Yemen, working 28 days and home for 28 days.
After retirement, Dan enjoyed the hobbies of woodwork and repairing and selling reels worldwide on ebay. Danny's passion was his family and truly enjoyed family visits. He was an avid fisherman and was most often accompanied by his best friend and fishing companion, Lola.
Danny was preceded in death by his parents, Orval and Elsie Simpson; and his son, Todd Simpson of Kilgore.
He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Lola Simpson of Kilgore; his daughter and son-in-law, Tammy and Jimmy Kirkland of Kilgore; his grand­daughter, Heather Davis and fiancé, Austin Noah, of Wimberley; sis­ter, Arvella Simpson of Coleman, Texas; and step­grand­­children, Alisha Kimbley and husband, Luke, Kimberli O'Brien and husband, Daniel, and Krystal Kirkland.
Also surviving Dan are stepgreat-grandchildren, Skyla, Marshall and Judah; sisters and brothers-in-law, Bettie and Joe Furno, Donna and James Seigler and Billie and Lonnette Harrell; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at Rader Funeral Home Chapel, one hour prior to the service.
Memorials may be made in Dan's memory to the American Cancer Society, Gregg South Unit, P.O. Box 2167 Kilgore, TX 75663-2167; Heart to Heart Hospice, 100 W. Hawkins Pkwy., Suite A, Longview, TX 75605; or the Catch a Dream Foundation at catchadream.org. This organization grants hunting and fishing trips to terminally ill and underprivileged children.
Please sign the online register at www.raderfuneralhome.com