James M. (Jim) Simpson, Jr., 82, of Pine Bluff, died Saturday, February 4, 2012, at his home after a long illness. He was born on May 6, 1929, in Little Rock, Ark., son of James and Myrtle Simpson. He moved to Pine Bluff as a toddler after his mother’s death and was reared by his maternal grandparents, John W. and Carrie Robinson. Although his name was never legally changed, his grandparents enrolled him in church and grade school as Donald Robinson where he was affectionately called “Duck” by his friends and “Sonny” by his family. These were the names he used in school and early work years in Pine Bluff, and the nicknames were used by longtime friends and family throughout his life. Shortly after his seventeenth birthday, he joined the US Navy under his legal name of James M. Simpson, Jr.
Jim was a World War II/Peace Time Navy Veteran. He served in the Navy for 45 months and was in the Inactive Reserve for four years. During a nine month period, he served in the Navy Seabees on the Aleutian Island of Adak. Following that assignment, he was transferred back to the regular Navy and spent the majority of his remaining years of service aboard the USS Oakland, with the last four months being served at the Tongue Point Naval Station, Astoria, Oregon. Jim received the WWII Victory Medal, Japanese Occupation Medal, Chinese Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.
Following his military service and under the GI Bill, Jim enrolled in Arkansas State Teacher’s College (now UCA) and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education. He worked as an insurance claim adjuster in Louisville, Ky., for 3* years before returning to Arkansas to work in the same occupation in El Dorado and then back in Pine Bluff.
In 1965 when the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville started its evening Law School division in Little Rock and while continuing to work as an insurance adjuster, Jim enrolled and commuted year round until his completion of his Juris Doctorate in 1970. He practiced law in Pine Bluff for 16 years. During a period of that time he also served as municipal judge of Redfield, Ark.
In 1986 he was employed by Arkansas Power and Light (Entergy Arkansas) as a corporate attorney until his retirement in September, 2002.
Jim was a member of First Baptist Church, Pine Bluff, the Arkansas Bar Association, and the Jefferson County Bar Association. He served on the Board of Directors of Pine Bluff Boy’s Club (Seabrook Family Christian Center), serving one year as president. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a lifetime member of VFW Post 4455. Jim never met a stranger, was known for his sense of humor and practical jokes, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing pool, and golf.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara (Bobby) Baim Simpson; four children: Jim (Debra) Simpson, III of Pine Bluff; John (Deborah) Simpson of Pine Bluff; Donald (Susan) Simpson of O’Fallon, Mo.; Annette Simpson (Collin) Roddey of Springdale, Ark.; five grandchildren: Jason (Devan) Simpson of Pine Bluff, Sarah Simpson (Adam) Howell of Bonney Lake, Wash.; James M. Simpson, IV of Pine Bluff, Lyle Simpson of O’Fallon, Mo.; and Eli Roddey of Springdale, Ark.; and four great-grandchildren: Jamie Michelle Simpson of Pine Bluff; Mackenzie and Cassidy Howell of Bonney Lake, Wash.; and James M. (Jay) Simpson, V of Pine Bluff; one sister, Jimmie Lee Simpson Nichols of Pine Bluff, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and prenatal great-granddaughter, Ashlynn Elizabeth Howell of Bonney Lake, Wash.
Visitation will be at Ralph Robinson and Son from 5–7 p.m., Tuesday, February 7, 2012.
Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 8, 2012, at First Baptist Church, Pine Bluff, with Rev. Matt Norton officiating. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery.
His family thanks the special ladies at Hospice Angels.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 6501 South Hazel, Pine Bluff, Ark. 71603.
Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com