Joe Allen Simpson

Joe Allen Simpson Funeral services for Joe Allen Simpson, of Longview will be held at Noon Monday, March 14, 2005 in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home of Longview with the Reverend Charles Gray officiating. Private family entombment will be held in Rosewood Park?s Chapel Mausoleum. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 PM Sunday at the funeral home, 1617 Judson Road. Those serving as pallbearers include: Phil Allbright, Bryant Kolb, Herman Holcomb, Frank Reese, A.T. McGuire, and Don Staggs. Mr. Simpson was born on November 1, 1933 in Upshur County to Henry and Lillie Simpson. He attended East Mountain High School, from where he graduated in 1950. He married Dale Neely Simpson in 1951. He is survived by his wife; daughter, Glenda and her husband, Ben Sweat; one son, Steve, who is mentally retarded and lives at home with his parents; Three grandchildren, Joseph Sweat, a student at Texas State College, and twins, David and Sarah Sweat of Austin. Joe was employed by Texas Eastman Company in 1953 as a chemical operator. He retired after 35 years of service. Joe was a dedicated volunteer, helping organize the Gregg County Association for Retarded Citizens in 1960. He served in many capacities at the local level, serving as president, vice president, and treasurer. In 1970 he was elected to the board of director of the Texas Association of Retarded Citizens. He represented a large portion of the state and traveled extensively. He was elected president in 1975 and served two terms. He was elected to the national board and represented Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma. His main purpose was promoting legislation and programs, especially education opportunities for people with mental retardation. One of his most enjoyable activities was helping to establish the Special Olympics Program in 1968 in Gregg County. He believed, given the opportunity, every athlete could achieve when someone believed in them. To him, the disabilities were secondary to their accomplishment. He loved his Dallas Cowboys, Duke Basketball Teams, and golf. He traveled in 48 states enjoying America, its beauty, and was a patriot. Memorial gifts may be made in honor of Mr. Simpson to: East Texas Lightnin Special Olympics, 600 West Garfield, Longview, Texas 75602.

Joe Allen Simpson

November 11, 1933 - March 12, 2005