James Arthur Simpson

James was born to William Arthur (Art) and Velma Lane Simpson on January 20, 1949, in Lakeview, Oregon. He weighed just 3 pounds 7 ounces and wasn't expected to survive-but Velma had other plans. She placed him in a shoebox and kept him warm behind the oil stove, inventing what could be considered the first incubator (though, to Jim's chagrin, she never received any royalties for it). The tough little infant not only survived but thrived.

Perhaps James's resilient spirit was already known, as before he started school, a neighborhood mother asked him and another little boy to walk her daughter to kindergarten. Whatever the reason, those early friendships became just two of many that James nurtured throughout his life. Jim cherished his friends and often recounted tales of their adventures during childhood and especially their teenage years. His classmates loved him in return, as evidenced by the overwhelming support that he and Beverly received, from the class of 1967 and other friends, after losing their home in the 2020 Almeda fire.

Jim loved all of his friends. He met his best friend, however, at a Sadie Hawkins dance his freshman year of high school. He left the dance with Beverly Riblett and they managed to stick together for the next 60 years.

Jim and Beverly married on November 4, 1967, and they raised three children together. His fighting spirit carried through his life as he leveraged an associate degree in accounting into a career in leadership. Jim was always seeking the next horizon, opening businesses, moving to new states, and chasing adventure. In fact, he and Bev lived in six states and 13 cities, some of which they returned to more than once.

A lifelong learner, Jim taught himself computer programming, studied theology, and even built a ham radio despite being colorblind. He continually sought out new challenges to conquer, enrolling in college courses to study forensic genealogy and finishing his courses among the top in his cohort in the midst of his final health battles. Jim never stopped fighting and finding ways to overcome life's hurdles.

Jim approached everything he did with a sense of humor. His wit and comedic timing were unparalleled, and he continued to lighten the mood with jokes and humor until the very end. He believed that much of the world's humor comes at others' expense, and with a few rare and hilarious exceptions, he avoided that type of humor. Instead, he focused on cleverness, silliness, and self-deprecation to bring laughter to those around him.

This sense of humor aligned with Jim's faith in Christ and his efforts to be a better person. He dedicated his life to Jesus in 1982 and was baptized as an outward declaration of his faith. Jim believed in doing good quietly, without seeking recognition. Over the years, many people benefitted from his kindness, often without ever knowing the sacrifices he made for them.

In his later years, Jim studied the tenets of the Eastern Orthodox Church and, in 2024, answered his calling to join this church.

In heaven, Jim joins his parents, some close friends, and many cherished pets. On earth, he will be deeply missed by his wife of 57 years, Beverly Simpson; his sons, Eric Simpson of Mountain Home, Arkansas, and Marc (Geok) Simpson of Perrysburg, Ohio; his daughter, Bonnie Simpson of Medford, Oregon; and his eight grandchildren, ranging in age from 8 to 27 as well as many other friends and family who knew and loved him.