Donald J. "Don" Simpson Ed. D.; D.M.A.

Don was born in 1925 into the family of Nina and William Simpson near Chicago. Don was the seventh of their eight children. His physical life ended on December 16, 2023, with his wife of 69 years by his side. Don's choice of a song is: "I'll Be Seeing You".
Don's visual health issues from birth did not curtail his efforts. He shared the stage with many famous musicians, including Vladimir Horowitz, while Don was still in his teens. Don was rejected from service in WWII so he attended college instead! He supported himself by performing on radio and for dances writing his own arrangements for his own band. After graduation, he joined Gene Krupa's band, writing and playing bass until being drafted into the Army in 1950 during the Korean Conflict. At that time, his name was in lights under Gene Krupa's at the Capitol Theatre in New York City!
After scoring the highest in the Army Musicians Proficiency Assessment, Don became an instructor the day after Basic Training. He supervised performances, dances, and he marched beside the 10th Division Band in parades on and off the Base at Fort Riley, KS.
After the Army, Don joined Ray Anthony's band, which was the most popular band at that time! Don enjoyed 59 years as a musician, principal arranger and composer with Ray Anthony. In Hollywood years, Don was in four movies with writing credits, recording sessions on CD's, Albums, Singles, and live TV shows. He arranged the music for a Lawrence Welk commercial using 80+ musicians! Don played and/or arranged the music and appeared in two weekly TV shows, mostly all in the 50's and 60's.
Don spent two summers in New York City with Ray Anthony's TV show and took classes at Columbia University in preparation for a teaching career. Don returned to USC to obtain his two Doctorate Degrees: Doctorates in Higher Education and in Musical Arts.
Don began teaching in inner-city schools in Los Angeles, including Dorsey High School and Los Angeles City College. Even on the day of his passing, he received a call from a former student who had praised him for the help he received! He took students by bus to Las Vegas to perform in a parade; some had never been out of Los Angeles. They performed on TV there too! The gracious people of Henderson, NV housed these students and that was a wonderful gift for everyone involved!! He took students to Catalina Island to perform in a parade and perform in the Pavillion in the evening, as rewards for winning in competitions! Don's High School band competed at the Hollywood Bowl for twelve years and won first prize for twelve years straight! They couldn't afford uniforms, so they all wore matching shirts. A former student, a Minister living in Georgia, called to tell Don: "Every sermon I've preached, I use what I learned from you." He had called often, just saying, "Bless you, Doc." Don has received group calls expressing gratitude from so many successful former students!! What a Blessing!!
A book was written years ago: "The Dark Tree" which was written about African-American musicians in L.A., and Don was mentioned several times regarding amusing incidents related to "Doc". Don thoroughly enjoyed it!
He retired as Department Chairman at Los Angeles City College, also having taught several jazz classes, composition, arranging, and concert bands while supervising approximately 35 or more part-time and full-time music teachers. Don held that position for many years, until it was time to move here to be close by to help family members.
Again, as many have known before, our daughter with disabilities, unable to care for herself or her children, the responsibilities were assumed by our other daughter and her family! As difficult as these responsibilities have been, the results have been rewarding! We are heartened daily by the kindness within Don that flowed downward to members of his family and beyond!
While in retirement, and Don was still writing for Ray Anthony, he also joined with musicians in the Reno area, providing dancing music for the many who still loved dancing to the big band sounds of yesteryear! The Sierra Swing Band continued for nearly twenty years with Don as the Music Director, Arranger, Bass player, while rehearsing weekly in an Assisted Living facility for their residents' listening and dancing pleasure as well!
All the while, he maintained his devotion to his loving family, who will miss him terribly, with gratitude and loving memories to carry them through. His message to us will remain our guide: "Your Charge is: To be intentionally warm and good to family and friends. Always!" And always with "kindness" toward others who we might not even know what their journey may be.
Yes, Don had an enormous impact on his still-growing family here! We suffered along with him as he fought the medical issues that claimed his life! We will remain forever grateful for the time we had with him! His life was and will always be, so very precious to all of us!! For me, personally, it is hard to imagine life without Don, because he was such a guiding light every day for most of my life! My song is: "Till There Was You".
Written lovingly by Mrs. Donald James Simpson