James Henry Simpson

James Henry Simpson, Jr. (Jim/Jimmy/Pop) was born December 26, 1923 at Wilson N. Jones Hospital in Sherman, Texas and died peacefully October 24, 2015 at St. James Place in Baton Rouge, Louisiana surrounded by loved ones.A native of Whitesboro, Texas, Jimmy moved to Houston, Texas at the age of 5.  He graduated from San Jacinto High School and received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University.  After graduating from Rice, he began his career working for Goodyear in Phoenix, Arizona.    In 1948, he moved to Baton Rouge.Jim owned his own company and worked as a long time manufacturer's representative for Automation Products, Inc., that manufactures and markets Dynatrol® Systems for industrial density, viscosity and level measurement and control.  He spent many miles on the road with what he called his "dog and pony show" and made many friends and valued customers throughout the Gulf Coast region.  He was a longtime member of the Instrument Society of America (ISA).Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, J. Henry Simpson, a native of Whitesboro, Texas, Goldie Maricle Simpson, a native of Wichita Falls, Texas, his brother Calvin (Q) Simpson (Carolyn), and his wife of 38 years, Shirley Rieger Simpson, a native of Baton Rouge.  He is survived by his son, James Henry Simpson, III (Mary Claire), Danville, California and stepdaughter, Susan LaCroix Hamil (John), Laguna Beach, California.  He has three grandchildren, Ryan James Harman (Kathryn), Laguna Beach, California; Claire Elizabeth Simpson and James Henry Simpson, IV, Danville, California, and two great grandchildren, Stella and Jack Harman of Laguna Beach, California.  His sister-in-law Betty Sexton Rieger Brown (Denny), Houston Texas also survives him.He has six nieces - Katherine (Wren) Rieger Laguguec (Jean-Marc), La Meilleraye de Bretagne, France; Rachel Rieger Wells, Brooklyn, New York; Sally Rieger Alvis (Max), Lufkin, Texas; Ann Rieger Wolford (Kent), The Woodlands, Texas; Mary (Mimi) Rieger, Washington, D.C.; and Amanda Rieger Green (Dennis), Dripping Springs, Texas.  He is survived by a host of great nieces and nephews.Serving as honorary pallbearers are his five nephews - Neal Simpson (Maryann), Houston, Texas; Henry (Hank) Simpson, Baton Rouge; Dr. Frank G. Rieger, III (Reggie), Columbia, Missouri; William Rieger, Prairieville, Louisiana; and Robert Rieger (Shannan), Baton Rouge.  Family and friends will remember Jimmy as always being there when you needed him.  He never hesitated to respond to a call from someone to fix a leaky faucet or to take a widow to the grocery store.  He had infinite patience with his nieces and nephews and taught most of them how to tie their shoes or master other skills like riding a bike or steering a wagon down a hill.   A longtime member of St. James Episcopal Church, Jimmy devoted countless hours to the food pantry and served as transportation coordinator for Gumbo Friday for many years. He will always be remembered for his love of family and his quick wit.  Jimmy took great joy in making people laugh with his wonderful sense of humor.  He was admired by family and friends for his legendary joke telling.  In his loving memory and famous last words, "boat for sale..." Services will be held on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at Rabenhorst Funeral Home on Government Street with visitation at 1PM and a memorial service at 2PM followed by internment at Roselawn Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for Diabetes Youth and Families:www.dyf.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.dyf.org/">www.dyf.org.