David Lyle Simpson died Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Beacon Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was 79.
David was born to his late parents Raymond and Arla (Taylor) Simpson on Oct. 4, 1946, in Hopkins. After high school David would serve honorably in the U.S. Army as an officer, achieving the rank of captain. He was stationed with the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment overseas in Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal “V” device, Silver Star, and multiple Purple Hearts (1st OLC) due to wounds sustained in combat.
David would medically retire after Vietnam and settle his homestead in Hopkins. He would acquire his bachelor’s degree in education, teaching in Southwest Michigan schools until his retirement.
David and Peggy Pompey-Simpson shared 15 years of marriage and together they owned horses and loved horseback riding anywhere they could, from trotting across Michigan or in the Tennessee mountains.
David also enjoyed his John Deere tractor, doing work on their property or just driving around. He was a driven, hardworking and kind to all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife Peggy Pompey-Simpson; children John Simpson (Redmond, WA) and Angie (Andy) Litzinger (Woodville, WA); siblings Mark (Connie) Simpson and Mary Suzanne McLean; grandchildren Ashley Litzinger, Ally Litzinger, Gabriel Pompey, and Graci Pompey; nephews Matt Simpon and Jeremy Simpson.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
David’s funeral will start at 11 a.m. with an hour’s visitation before from 10 to11 a.m Tuesday, Nov. 18, at Gorden Funeral Residence, Hopkins Chapel 208 West Main St. Army military honors will follow the service at the funeral home. Cremation will take place following the service with a private burial of ashes in Maplewood Cemetery later.
Memorial donations may be made to Hopkins Community Church for Cradles of Grace or the Benevolent fund with Rectify Church in Allegan.
