Gaithel L. “G.L.” Simpson Jr. slipped the bonds of earth Friday, January 24. Mr. Simpson was born January 29, 1939 in Greenville, Kentucky, to Dr. and Mrs. G.L. Simpson Sr. Complications from a chronic illness brought about his untimely departure. He was a faithful husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, friend, teacher, and servant leader. He was a man beloved by family, friends and coworkers. His passing leaves a void in each aspect of his life—voids which won’t easily be filled.
Mr. Simpson spent his childhood in Greenville where he enjoyed summers and weekends on his father’s farm working with cattle and land management as well as hunting, fishing, and years of Boy Scout activities which included frequent camping excursions. He graduated from McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN then completed his collegiate studies in animal husbandry from Oklahoma State University. Upon graduation, he managed first a small farm then a cattle ranch for Reynolds Metals near Henderson, KY. He later was employed in the Agri-Chemical division of US Steel, where he worked in numerous southern cities from Arkansas to South Carolina. Upon retirement, he volunteered with the Haven of Hope in Tullahoma, TN. It was in working there with battered women that he discovered an innate capacity for encouraging others. This led him to re-enter school and prepare for a third career.
G.L. earned counseling credentials from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville and began teaching special education at Coffee County Middle School. He then completed a Master of Arts degree in Special Education. It was this career in education that brought him ultimately to Alabama. He taught special education first at Brooks High School and then served as a graduation exam coach for both Coffee and Bradshaw High Schools. At the time of his death, he was an Adult Education instructor at Northwest Shoals Community College.
Mr. Simpson was a faithful member and worker at St. James United Methodist Church where he was quite often found working behind the scenes to help and support his family of faith. He was best known for his quick wit and amazing yeast rolls as not many potluck or Wednesday meals occurred without them. A love of fishing connected him to numerous friends and family members. Many a counseling session occurred on the lakes, rivers or streams of the Tennessee River.
G.L. was preceded in death by his parents Dr. G.L. Simpson Sr. and Susan Cather Simpson, brother Daniel Simpson, first wife Mary Hale Simpson, and daughter Martha Simpson Cook. He is survived by his wife Kay Grice Simpson; sisters, Alice Beckham (Jim) and Peggy Peabody, all of Louisville, KY; son Jeffery Scott Simpson (Sheila) Beechgrove, TN; son-in-law Wayne Cook Shelbyville, TN; stepdaughter Amy Fowler Murphy (Eric), Leeds, AL; stepson Jeremy Fowler (Lara), Franklin, TN; grandchildren Thomas Gaithel Simpson, Amanda S. Todd (Dusty), Beth Harris (George), Stacy Simpson, Kristina Ponder (Paul), William Fowler, and Annmarie Fowler; great grandsons Jayden Brown, Dakota Harris and Blake Todd. He has in addition numerous aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and distant relatives.
The family will greet friends Wednesday, January 29 from 11:00-1:00 at St. James United Methodist Church in Florence with the memorial service to follow at 1:00 PM. Pastor Chuck Canterbury will lead the service. Men of the New Horizon and JOY classes will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Greenview Funeral Home is handling all arrangements including interment at Greenview Cemetery. A fund is being established to benefit students in G.L.’s adult education classes in pursuit of their General Education Diploma (GED). Please contact Dr. Amy Fowler Murphy to make a memorial donation in lieu of flowers.
The family expresses gratitude to the emergency medical technicians, doctors and staff of ECM Hospital and Huntsville Hospital in addition to his personal physicians Dr. Deal, Dr. Carmichael and Dr. Little for their expert and compassionate care during Mr. Simpson’s illness and brief hospital stays.
