John H. Simpson

John H. Simpson, 77, of Columbus, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2025, with his daughters by his side. Born April 25, 1948, he lived a life full of wordsmithing, dry humor, and hopeless romanticism. He was a graduate of Bexley High School, class of 1966, and was fiercely proud of being raised in Bexley, Ohio. John worked at and retired from AT&T, followed by a career as an umpire and referee. He then discovered a joy for teaching as a driving instructor. Above all, John was a writer and had the gift of turning simple words into enormous statements. He published a novel, wrote of times long past, and gifted pieces of his soul to each of us through his words.

John was preceded in death by his father, James R. Simpson, and his mother, Eileen Henney. He is survived by his children, Heather Kirk, Kristen (Tim) Bullock, John M. (Jessica) Simpson; sister Mia (Rob) Coulton, brother Warner (Ann) Simpson; His grandchildren, in whom he found endless entertainment: Ellyaris (Edsel) Costas-Lebron; Evan, Troy, Titus, Liliana, and Lucia Bullock; Abigail and Isabella Kirk, Josslyn Carroll, Ronan and Caelum Simpson, many nieces and nephews, his other two musketeers: Mac McCloy and Tom Shafer as well as many other close friends. He was well-loved and will be missed by many.

There will be a visitation at Schoedinger Hilltop on January 5, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., followed by a funeral service presided over by Pastor Doug McCoy at 5:00 p.m.

Family and friends are then invited to share a light meal and enormous stories at Hillcrest Baptist Church, 2480 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43204 in the fellowship hall following the service.