Roger Simpson

SIMPSON
Roger Neil Simpson passed away on June 14, 2014 at age 70. A cheerful and informal celebration of his life will be held July 7 at 2:00pm at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home in Lakeway, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, Guide Dogs of America or the charity of your choice.

Roger was born on Valentine's Day, 1944 in Rapid City, South Dakota. He was the second son of Neil and Virginia Simpson. Growing up with his older brother and younger sisters, he was happy, strong-willed and a bit mischievous, making life-long friends along the way.

Graduating Rapid City High School in 1962, Roger's goal was to move across the country to begin his life adventures which kept him in Texas for the next 52 years. In 1967 he earned his BBA in Banking and Finance from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. At SMU, he joined Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity where he made friends who have enjoyed numerous get-togethers and golf outings over many years. He went on to earn his Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1969 from The University of Texas School of Law and passed the Texas bar exam on September 15, 1969.

Roger was hired by Ernst and Ernst in San Antonio in 1969 where he earned his CPA. He became a partner with Ernst and Whinney in 1979, and remained with Ernst and Young until his retirement in 1998. His numerous educational credentials include: CPA, JD, CFP, PFS, IAR, CIMA. Framed in his office, Roger had a rejection letter from his first interview with Ernst and Ernst along with the announcement of becoming a partner with the firm. Below this was Calvin Coolidge's famous quote about persistence. This was the epitome of Roger. He was humble about his own accomplishments and seemed to be more proud of the achievements of his family and friends.

What was most important to Roger were his wife and family. Roger met and married Linda Weaver after a mutual friend introduced them in San Antonio, Texas. They became parents to three daughters and a son over the next several years. They loved the home they built and lived in for 27 years. He played golf every chance he could at San Antonio Country Club and at golf courses around the world until physically unable to do so. He was delighted that he got to play at Augusta National Golf Club, Pebble Beach and St. Andrew's in Scotland.

One of his favorite endeavors in life was to travel with his family. He visited all seven continents and made it a priority to see as many parts of the world as he could. Some of his favorite trips include a trip to Antarctica, New Zealand, an African safari, Simpson family reunions, return visits to Rapid City and hunting trips with family in Tuthill, South Dakota.

From his days as a little boy with gifts of a bow and arrow and BB gun, he shared his love of hunting for birds on the grasslands of South Dakota with his father and grandfather. He even walked like his grandfather and had his easy laugh. The Tuthill Athletic Club, a one room hunting shack near Martin, South Dakota, was started by his grandfather, L.A. Pier and a close friend in the 1940's. Roger spent much of his time over the years arranging many hunting trips with his son, grandsons, sons-in-law, brothers-in-law and nephews to the Tuthill Athletic Club. Roger was so driven in his business life, no one would have thought he would turn out to be so sentimental and nostalgic.

In 2011, he was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia and in typical Roger fashion he immediately began the task of informing family and friends and made a list of things he needed to get in order. His lifelong college buddies, with their typical humor, threw him a "Going Away" party. He and Linda seemed to accept it with such grace and calm dignity. Unable to drive or continue his career, Linda was his chauffeur, administrative assistant, advisor, best friend, caregiver and constant companion. She never wavered in her love and support of him for 43 years of their life together. He was grateful for so many things in their life - the incredible support they received from family and friends, his career, and their travels. He refused to feel bitter, be despondent, embarrassed or feel sorry for himself.

His smile, his quick wit, his classic one-liners like his Mom, his advice and persistence, quirky sense of humor and high standards will be long admired and deeply missed. He would want celebration and laughter rather than mourning and tears for the long, rich life and loving family he was blessed to have. He leaves behind his wife Linda, children Jean Dickerson, Paula Rogers, Suzanne Brown and Chris Simpson, their spouses Doug Dickerson, James Rogers, Travis Brown and Kelly Simpson. Grandchildren Chris Ponce and his wife Ashley, Andrew Ponce, Carissa and Skyler Dickerson, Leslie and Jordan Rogers, Aubrey and Laurel Brown, and Ryan and Ella Simpson. He is also survived by his brother Pier Simpson and his wife Carol, his sister Mary Scripter and her husband Larry, and brother-in-law Tom Delaney and his wife Deany as well as numerous extended family members. He is preceded in death by his mother, father, sister Marty Delaney, his in-laws Al and Doris Weaver and his beloved dogs Cheyenne, Cody, and Jake.

Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home (512) 263-1511. Obituary and guestbook available online at www.wcfish.com