RICHARD LEON SIMPSON, 92, of Little Rock, passed away July 1, 2010. Born May 15, 1918 in Hutchinson, Kan. to Jesse S. Simpson and Effie Bounds, he was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Elsie Gunter Simpson, parents and siblings Ralph and Raymond Simpson and Helen Blessing. He is survived by daughter, Carolyn Lessel and husband, John, of Little Rock; son, Michael Simpson and wife, Patricia, of La Palma, Calif.; grandchildren, Geoffrey Lessel and wife, Kelly, Justin Lessel and wife, Stephanie, Joshua Simpson and wife, Jen, Nathan Simpson and Scot Simpson and wife Toni; great-grandchildren, Olivia, Max, Calvin, Caleb and Jacob Lessel, Jaxon Simpson; foster granddaughter Maria Behrend and husband Justin, children Zachary and Maya. He graduated from Vilonia High School in 1936 and attended Little Rock Junior College. A combat veteran of WWII, he retired in 1983 from the Corps of Engineers where he was a computer programmer. Funeral is Thursday, July 8 at 10:30 a.m. at First Church of the Nazarene with Dr. Dan Casey and Dr. Jim Daniel officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 7tfrom 6 to 8 p.m. at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth. Memorials may be made to First Church of the Nazarene, 1200 North Mississippi, Little Rock, Ark. 72207.

Published July 6, 2010