ERNIE'S OBITUARY

Thanks to Jo Ann Roth and Stuart Simpson for putting me onto Ernie's obit. In true Ernie fashion, this is the best obituary of its type that I've ever seen. -tlp-


Ernest "Ernie" Lee Simpson (June 5, 1939 - March 8, 2006)

Ernest “Ernie” Lee Simpson died Wednesday, March 8, 2006 at NEA Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born June 5, 1939 in Sidon, Arkansas to Alvin and Velma Simpson.

He graduated from Searcy High School in 1957 and went on to Arkansas State University to earn a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Music degree. At ASU he was an active member of Lambda Chi Alpha, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Phi Mu Alpha.

He went on to teach band at Cooter Missouri, Manila, Nettleton, and Jonesboro High School. During that time, he was President of the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association, a member of the Dixie Band Camp Board, and Adjudicator for Marching and Concert Bands and Solo and Ensemble Contest in Arkansas, Tennessee and Missouri. The school bands that he directed consistently received superior ratings in marching and concert contests.

In 1979, Ernie left band directing and accepted a position at Hytrol, where he was Manager of Distributor Education, until he retired in 2004. While at Hytrol, he helped train over 4000 distributors. Ernie was a member of First United Methodist Church, Fast Glass Corvette Club and president and chief range officer for the Jonesboro Practical Pistol Shooters (JPPS).

He was preceded in death by his son Scott Simpson, and his brother Jim Simpson.

He is survived by his wife Shelia Simpson, son and daughter-in-law, Stuart and Amy Simpson, Grandchildren Lynlie, Luke, and Logan Simpson, Brother and sister-in-law Steve and Lavada McArthur Van and Malinda Vandergriff.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Sunday, March 12, 2006 at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Chaplain Edward Pruitt and comments by Bill Hawthorne with burial to follow at Nettleton Cemetery with Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Pallbearers are Al Poston, Bill Hawthorne, Bill Faulkner, Don Jones, Terry Robinette, Steve Barkley, Phillip Poston, and Jamie Caradine. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Fast Glass Corvette Club, and Jpps, Dr. Carroll Scroggin, Dr. Jason Casey, Sam Leone, and the Hytrol family.

For lasting memorials, the family request you please consider the American Cancer Society,

Visitation will be from 5-8 Saturday night at Emerson Funeral Home.