1921
Clarence
2015
Clarence Simpson
November 10, 1921 — August 18, 2015
CLARENCE THOMAS SIMPSON, age 93 of Amarillo died August 18, 2015 in Amarillo.
Funeral service will be on Friday, August 21st at 10:00 AM at Schooler Funeral Home, Brentwood Chapel. John Elser, VA Chaplain will officiate. Burial will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Volleys for Veterans will provide military honors. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 South Georgia.
Clarence was born November 10, 1921 in Borden County, Texas to Dick and Leona Berry. He was raised and graduated from high school in O’Donnell, Texas.
After high school he served in the United States Army in the European Theatre. He felt it was more than a duty to serve but his honor. He was a true patriot in every sense of the word. Clarence was awarded five Silver Stars, a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his bravery, valence and for the injuries he sustained during the war. Clarence was present at the signing of the end of the war declaration.
After his service he married his first wife, Lillian, she preceded him in death in 1967. He worked at the smelter for over thirty years until he retired. Clarence considered his job a necessity to fund his true passion….buying, selling and trading of virtually anything you could think of! He bought and sold cattle and was a regular at the Amarillo Livestock Auction. He wasn’t especially particular about what he traded for, whether it was a mild truck or a pig, we was always wheelin’ and dealin’.
About eight years ago he moved to the VA Nursing home, where he made himself right at home. He developed friendships with other residents, patients and staff alike. Clarence loved to dance and while living at the VA he won many dance competitions both locally and was the national champion in his age division of dance at the Veterans Creative Arts Festival. There was no one better at Two Steppin’ or “Waltzing across Texas,” he could sweep you off your feet! He felt it was his duty to arrange final honors by the rendering of taps for fellow veterans that died in the VA. He was also one of the fortunate few that had the privilege of going to Washington D.C. on the Honor Flight in 2009. It was there he was chosen to lay the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Clarence was also a favorite at the VA because he brought donuts! Everyone at the VA looked forward to donuts days.
Much can be said about Clarence, but noting would be truer than he was a patriot and a lover of life.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his two wives, Lillian and Barbara; three sisters, Snookie Tucker, Betty Joe Romine and Margaret Summers; his brothers, Jack Summers and Bill Simpson.
He is survived by his children, Sherry Woods and her husband Jerry of El Reno, Terry Simpson and his wife Delores of Granbury, Judy Burkham and her husband Sandy of Amarillo; Pam Glenn and her husband Ronnie of Amarillo, Kathy Cook of Amarillo and Barbie Jennings and her husband Michael of Bushland; his sister Fern Walker and her husband Jack of Lubbock; fourteen grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers that memorials be made to the “Donut Fund” at The VA Hospital 6010 Amarillo Blvd. Wests 79106.
Please sign the online guest book at www.schoolerfuneralhome.com.
Funeral service will be on Friday, August 21st at 10:00 AM at Schooler Funeral Home, Brentwood Chapel. John Elser, VA Chaplain will officiate. Burial will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Volleys for Veterans will provide military honors. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 South Georgia.
Clarence was born November 10, 1921 in Borden County, Texas to Dick and Leona Berry. He was raised and graduated from high school in O’Donnell, Texas.
After high school he served in the United States Army in the European Theatre. He felt it was more than a duty to serve but his honor. He was a true patriot in every sense of the word. Clarence was awarded five Silver Stars, a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his bravery, valence and for the injuries he sustained during the war. Clarence was present at the signing of the end of the war declaration.
After his service he married his first wife, Lillian, she preceded him in death in 1967. He worked at the smelter for over thirty years until he retired. Clarence considered his job a necessity to fund his true passion….buying, selling and trading of virtually anything you could think of! He bought and sold cattle and was a regular at the Amarillo Livestock Auction. He wasn’t especially particular about what he traded for, whether it was a mild truck or a pig, we was always wheelin’ and dealin’.
About eight years ago he moved to the VA Nursing home, where he made himself right at home. He developed friendships with other residents, patients and staff alike. Clarence loved to dance and while living at the VA he won many dance competitions both locally and was the national champion in his age division of dance at the Veterans Creative Arts Festival. There was no one better at Two Steppin’ or “Waltzing across Texas,” he could sweep you off your feet! He felt it was his duty to arrange final honors by the rendering of taps for fellow veterans that died in the VA. He was also one of the fortunate few that had the privilege of going to Washington D.C. on the Honor Flight in 2009. It was there he was chosen to lay the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Clarence was also a favorite at the VA because he brought donuts! Everyone at the VA looked forward to donuts days.
Much can be said about Clarence, but noting would be truer than he was a patriot and a lover of life.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his two wives, Lillian and Barbara; three sisters, Snookie Tucker, Betty Joe Romine and Margaret Summers; his brothers, Jack Summers and Bill Simpson.
He is survived by his children, Sherry Woods and her husband Jerry of El Reno, Terry Simpson and his wife Delores of Granbury, Judy Burkham and her husband Sandy of Amarillo; Pam Glenn and her husband Ronnie of Amarillo, Kathy Cook of Amarillo and Barbie Jennings and her husband Michael of Bushland; his sister Fern Walker and her husband Jack of Lubbock; fourteen grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers that memorials be made to the “Donut Fund” at The VA Hospital 6010 Amarillo Blvd. Wests 79106.
Please sign the online guest book at www.schoolerfuneralhome.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Clarence Simpson, please visit our flower store.