Reverend James F. Simpson

The Reverend James F. Simpson, 74, joined his Lord and Savior November 18, 2017. Jim was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He graduated from Broad Ripple High School in 1961, Wittenberg University in 1965 and from The Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in 1969. He married Delores (Alsbrook) Simpson on June 16, 1968 and was ordained at Bethlehem Lutheran Church June 16, 1969.  Serving St. John’s Lutheran Church, Nappanee, IN, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Lafayette, IN, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Middlebury, IN, and Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, Lagrange, IN gave Jim the opportunity to minister to and encourage many in their faith journey. Puppets Prince and Peace (AKA Paul and Eve, Monty and Zoey) were favorite characters used to spread the Gospel. Camp Lutherwald, where Jim, in his teen years as a camp counselor, was called to ministry, continued to be a special part of his life; he continued to support and serve as property chairman for 15 years.  His three children also served as camp counselors.
Community and school involvement were important to Jim as he served on the Principal’s Advisory and Parent to Parent Committees in the local schools. As chairman of the Oaklawn Community Health Center’s Marketing Advisory Committee, secretary of the Elkhart County Jail Chaplaincy Board, an active member in Kiwanis and the local Ministerium, as well as the Indiana Kentucky Synod’s Conference Ministeriums, he was able to share and gain ideas with many.
Jim knew the importance of balancing family, work, and community involvement. Purdue football and basketball, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and Garden City Beach, SC were special pastimes shared with his children and grandchildren, and many friends.  Shepherd of the Sea Lutheran Church in Garden City was his “other church home” when in South Carolina. When he and Dee retired, they moved to Indianapolis and renewed their ties to Bethlehem where he had been a member since childhood.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, John F. and Dorothy Joan (Eccles) Simpson and is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Delores, his daughter, Kristen (Todd) Lemley, sons Lukas (Angela Swinehart) Simpson and Erick Simpson (Amie Sites, his fiancé), grandchildren, Isaac, Audrey, and Eli Lemley, Estelle Simpson and his sister,  Judith Simpson.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM Friday, December 1st at Flanner Buchanan-Oaklawn Memorial Gardens, 9700 Allisonville Rd. Indianapolis, IN 46250.
Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Saturday, December 2nd at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 526 E. 52nd St. Indianapolis, IN 46205.
Memorial contributions may be given to Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

A favorite quote:  The best sermon is a good example.

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