Jean Elyse Simpson

Jean Elyse Morris Simpson, 99, passed away Monday, June 16, 2025, at the Westminster Oaks Health Center. She is predeceased by her husband, Napoleon Simpson, to whom she was married for 33 years.
Jean was born in San Francisco, California on March 7, 1926, as an only child to Lorene and Leo Morris, who encouraged her to pursue her studies and make her own decisions. It was evident that Jean developed a love for learning as she earned a law degree from Stanford University, attended the London School of Economics to earn a degree in International Law, and followed up with a Master of Art in Religion from Florida State University.
Early in her legal career, Jean was accepted as a first lieutenant for the Judge Advocate General for the United States Air Force, one of only eight women out of the 1,200 members of the Air Force JAG department at that time. She was eventually promoted to full colonel, becoming the first woman to achieve this rank in the U.S. Air Force JAG department. Jean was awarded the Bronze Star Meal and the Legion of Merit in recognition of her 21 years of service.
Jean also had an adventurous spirit and loved to travel. Her travels took her to Russia, Nepal, Japan, India, Mongolia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Botswana, New Zealand, Australia and India, her favorite, which she visited seven times.
Jean was a generous and giving person, regularly donating both time and money to charities such as Habitat for Humanity, the Red Cross and Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, also where she attended services. She shared her generosity with many friends, every year for her birthday she would treat her friends (up to twenty at a time) to dinner and drinks. Jean will be remembered and missed by many. A memorial celebration is being planned for Jean. Todd Wahlquist is assisting the family with their arrangements (850-385-2193, www.bevisfh.com).