Marvin Lee Simpson

Marvin Lee Simpson was born on November 16, 1961, in Columbus, IN, to Arthur (Art)
Simpson and Thelma Johnson Simpson. He passed away at the age of 63, on August
31, 2025, at his home, with his wife of 40 years, Bettyann, by his side. His sister Liz,
and niece Jessica, were also with him. Marvin left this world after a short, but
courageous battle with cancer.
Marvin was predeceased by his son, Joshua Simpson, brother, Charlie Simpson,
parents, Art and Thelma Simpson, grandparents, Pearl Fields Simpson, George Lillard
Simpson, John Johnson and Lucy Gray Johnson.
Marvin is survived by his wife, Elizabeth (Bettyann) Gillooly Simpson, son, Sean
Simpson (Sara Cooke), granddaughters, Saylor Simpson and Hayleigh Underhill, sister,
Elizabeth (Liz) Bower, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, David and Nancy Hartshorne
and Mike and Diane Gillooly, and several nieces and nephews.
Having a great belief in God, Marvin was baptized into the Christian faith at the age of
twelve.
Marvin graduated from New Washington High School, New Washington, IN, in 1980.
While in high school, he played basketball and baseball for the New Washington
Mustangs. He earned a scholarship to play baseball at Ball State University, Muncie,
IN. Due to an arm and shoulder injury, acquired while pitching for a baseball game for
his high school team, he was unable to continue participating in the sport he had such a
great passion for. Therefore, sadly, he had to forfeit his scholarship.
Marvin had a great love for anything to do with farming. He could tell you anything you
wanted to know about the business, from what kind of seed and chemicals to use, to a
great knowledge of all types of farm equipment. During his teenage years and in his
twenties, he worked in every aspect of tobacco, corn, soybean, hay and alfalfa
production. He worked extensively with cattle and the raising of goats. He had his own
farming business from 1985-1988, growing corn and soybeans. In his youth, he was a
member of the Clark County 4-H Club. Years later he assisted his nephew, niece, and
sons during their years in the same 4-H club, with their showing of cattle, sheep and
rabbits.
Marvin also had his own excavating company from the late 1990's to the early 2000's.
In between and after his farming and excavating businesses, he did all different types of
work, from being employed at Swift Packing Company, Brinly-Hardy Company, Rose
Seeding & Sodding, Estes Excavating, and as an over-the-road truck driver, to name a
few. He's done just about every type of manual labor possible. He had a great

knowledge of so many things. He always said, as the old saying goes, that he was a
"Jack of all trades, master of none." The field he worked in most was the trucking
industry, being employed by several different logistic companies over the years. Most
recently he was employed with Ryder Logistics, Shelbyville, KY. While employed in the
trucking industry, he drove semi-trucks with trailers loaded with all different types of
freight, from one end of the country to the other, driving to 48 states in the United States
and to parts of Canada. He truly loved driving. He said he loved the freedom of the
road and seeing all the beautiful sights along the way. He also said that driving and
spending so much time alone gave him plenty of opportunity for prayer.
Marvin was a past member, and was an Assistant Scout Master of Lincoln Heritage
Council, Boy Scout Troop 4010, Clarksville, IN, from 1999-2010. He was also a past
member of Talligewi Lodge 62, Order of the Arrow, Lincoln Heritage Council. He was in
both organizations during the time his sons were involved in scouting, therefore, he had
the opportunity to spend quality time with them. He devoted many years to volunteering
for the scouting organization, both in the troop and in the Order of the Arrow. He
attended many weekend camping trips and weeklong summer camps. He was one of
the drivers who drove the boys to many camp outs and events, he taught the boys
many new life skills and made many friends along the way.
His accomplishments during his scouting involvement include:
District Award of Merit Recipient - Lincoln Heritage Council, Boy Scouts of America
(2010)
Founder's Award Recipient (2009) and Vigil Honor Member (2004) Talligewi Lodge 62,
Order of the Arrow, Lincoln Heritage Council
President's Award Recipient – Chief Old Ox District, Lincoln Heritage Council (2006)
District Committee Member - Chief Old Ox District, Lincoln Heritage Council (2005-
2012)
Being a skilled woodworker, Marvin and fellow scout member and friend, Steve Tavelli,
built a BB and Archery Range during 2006-2007 at the Boy Scout Tunnel Mill
Reservation, Charlestown, IN.
Marvin loved the time he spent with his sons during his years in scouting and he loved
hunting and fishing with his son Sean before his health issues prevented him from doing
so. They had one last fishing day together this summer. He was always there to lend a
helping hand to anyone who needed it. He was a teaser and a jokester. He even joked
with the Hospice staff at the beginning of his last week. He loved babies and kids. He
loved it when he got to see his grandnephew and grandnieces. He loved driving his
wife all over the country on their many vacation adventures over the years, most

recently this past July when they traveled to Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana.
He was trying to help her achieve her bucket list of seeing all 50 states, just like he had.
He always said he loved it when the family was all together for the holidays. But mostly
Marvin loved his granddaughters and spending time with them. They were the ray of
sunshine in his life.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2025, from 4:00-8:00, at Scott Funeral
Home, 2515 Veterans Pkwy., Jeffersonville, IN, with the funeral being held on Friday,
September 5, 2025, in the chapel at Scott Funeral Home. Burial will be at Walnut Ridge
Cemetery, 2421 Hamburg Pike, Jeffersonville, IN, following the funeral service.
There will be a bereavement luncheon at St. Augustine Hall, St. Augustine Catholic
Church, 315 E. Chestnut St., Jeffersonville, IN, immediately following the service at the
cemetery. All are invited to attend.