Clarence Eugene Simpson

1939 - 2023

Clarence Eugene Simpson
August 29, 1939 - March 19, 2023
Modesto, California - Clarence Eugene Simpson was born in San Jose, California, on August 29, 1939, and went to be with the Lord on March 19, 2023, at 83 years of age. He was graciously raised and nurtured in Modesto by his foster parents, Oliver and Dorothy Ellis, who had a tremendously positive impact on his life. He graduated from high school at the Modesto Union Academy in 1959, and then worked as a nurse's aide at the Veteran's Hospital in Napa County while attending the Seventh-Day Adventist College in Yountville. In 1965, he earned a bachelor's degree from the California State University, Stanislaus, in social science while minoring in psychology. He then did postgraduate studies at Chapman College and was awarded a Master of Arts in 1982 from the International College in Los Angeles, California.
Clarence's long life of selfless service to others after beginning as a nurse's aide, continued as a counselor, social service worker, and deputy probation officer for Stanislaus County. He supervised and placed over 80 kids into private institutions and group homes throughout Central and Northern California. Their placement was based on reports he wrote and submitted to the juvenile courts. Through the probation office, he met a benevolent and gentle man, named E. Ross Clark, who mentored and inspired Clarence to do even greater things for troubled juveniles suffering from abusive and troubled homes.
Clarence took these inspirations seriously. In 1975, he created and was Founder and Executive Director of the E. Ross Clark Home for Children, Inc., a nonprofit agency providing residential treatment in multiple homes for over 30 adolescent boys and girls at one time. These adolescents got their first opportunity to live in a positive nurturing environment with individual and group therapy weekly, formal education, and guidance on how to become a functional member of society. Clarence's philosophy was, "These are not problem kids. They come from problem homes." Most had dropped out of school and endured rejection, neglect, sexual abuse, violence, and enough emotional abuse to distrust adults. Many were bounced around to a multitude of foster families and institutions prior to becoming members of Clarence's "extended family," and he was determined to break the chain of dysfunction trying to restore some sense of normalcy to their lives.
Clarence became a Marriage, Family and Child Counselor in 1982. He then created the Modesto Behavioral Health and Counseling Center which provided preadolescent and teenage counseling, helped families and children with learning disabilities, and counseled parents with troubled marriages. Clarence also founded Clark Foster Care in 1982 which provided therapeutic assistance to foster families with special needs children and intensive treatment for these children and families. Because most of the troubled children in his programs were banned from traditional schools, Clarence then founded a school called East Valley Education Center in Oakdale, California, in 1988. Not only did the kids get an education, but Clarence also took them on fun activities such as camping, water skiing, and fishing during his personal time to give them a more normal and balanced life.
Clarence was truly a remarkable human being and incredible soul. Coming from his own troubled family, he rose highly above his difficult past to lessen the pain and burden of other children. Throughout his career, he always had a positive "can do" attitude in that no challenge was too great to stand in the way of helping the kids he encountered. Clarence even maintained his smiling positive demeanor throughout his years of suffering with dementia and Parkinson's disease. He always supported his own family with encouragement, high moral values, gentle patience, and a wonderfully kind sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by his family and countless people whose lives he tirelessly and happily helped improve. He was a true example of unselfish humanity at its highest level, and we are sure he's looking down on us smiling to comfort us and heal the pain we feel from his loss, as he did for so many people throughout his life.
Clarence enjoyed bird hunting with his dogs, fishing, and a good stogie! He is preceded in death by his brother Gary Barnes and grandson Daniel Volpetti. He leaves behind his wife of 47 years, Lois Simpson, his other siblings Bill Simpson, Fred, David and Paul Ellis, Beverly Melanie, and Pennie Starr, two children Kellie and Kevin (Tori) Simpson, three stepchildren David (Denise) Volpetti, Dan (Roxanne) Volpetti, and Laurie (Ed) Nuccio. He also leaves behind eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. His family also wants to express its extreme gratitude to his wonderfully kind and patient caregivers, Denise, Anita, and Jasmine. As Clarence wished, he will be cremated, and his life celebrated with a private family gathering. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Clarence's name to the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) located at the Stanislaus County Court House, 800 11th Street, Suite 4, Modesto, CA, 95354.