Obituary of St. USA RET

WESTFIELD ? St. Sgt. Richard H. Simpson, US Army Retired, age 78, of Haverhill St, Jacksonville, Florida, formerly of Westfield died Monday, December 31, 2007 at home in Jacksonville. Mr. Simpson was born on April 9, 1929 in Sandusky, Ohio, a son of the late Harold L. and Linnie P. (Lehman) Simpson. A resident of Westfield from 1929 until his enlistment in the US army in 1951; Dick had been a resident of Fitchburg, Mass., and Augusta, Georgia, following his retirement from the US Army in 1972. He moved to St. Petersburg Florida in 1994 and had recently moved to Jacksonville to be close to his family. Dicks Military career as a Staff Sergeant in the Food Service Division took him around the globe including Okinawa, Korea and to several bases in the continental United States. He was honorably discharged at his last assignment at Ft. Devens, Massachusetts. Dick was a member of the Gulf Port American Legion Post #125 of St. Petersburg, and active in the Metropolitan Community Church of St. Petersburg as an Usher. He enjoyed cooking and baking. Survivors include, his niece and caregiver, Kathy (Ressler) Dotson, with whom he made his home, his sister, Jean Swartzott of Clarence, NY and his brother, James T. Simpson of Westfield and Florida. Several nieces and nephews and great niecs and nephews also survive. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his two sisters, Marjorie Scholton and Eva Ressler. Funeral services will be announced at a later date. Memorials may be made to Fire Department of Westfield Memorial Fund, 23 Elm Street, Westfield, NY 14787. Funeral arrangements are by the MASON FUNERAL HOME, 37 Clinton St., Westfield. Logon to www.masonfuneral.com to send an e-condolence or to sign a guest page.