Solon Francis Simpson

Solon Francis Simpson, 94, of Vinton, Virginia comfortably and peacefully, passed away on the evening of September 27, 2026, at the Davis & McDaniels Veterans Care Center in Roanoke, Virginia. A loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he is survived by this son Robert Solon Simpson and his wife, Elizabeth A. Bowers and their children Johsua Schulteis and Catherine Schuteis Sauer and Radi Mark Simpson, their son, and his children Tyler Solon Simpson and Morgan Wells Simpson.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 70 years, Claudine Pearman Simpson, his father George Filmore Simpson, his mother Margarite Colburn Simpson, his brother Robert and his sister Jane Simpson Shay.

Solon was born June 8, 1932, in Abingdon, Massachusetts and spent his childhood growing up in East Pembroke, Massachusetts. He graduated from East Pembroke High School in 1950 and immediately joined the US Navy. He enlisted in the Seabees and served four years constructing boiler systems at US Naval bases in Vieques, Puerto Rico and Wallops Island, Virginia. Upon his discharge in 1954 he moved to Roanoke, Virginia where he met and married Claudine Elizabeth Pearman. The couple happily spent the rest of their lives in the Roanoke Valley.

Solon was an avid and accomplished wood worker, also enjoying wildflower photography, hiking, picnics with his family along the Blue Ridge Parkway, with annual fall trips to Mabry’s Mill and Peaks of Otter, and in his retirement, traveling to different parts of the US with his wife Claudine as well as visiting his sons and their families. He was a member of Thrasher Memorial United Methodist Church, volunteering for church activities and giving time to the church’s sponsored Boy Scouts, Troop 235.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful and caring staff at the Davis & McDaniels Veterans Care Center in Roanoke. The family also wishes to thank Lynn and Katrina Milton for the love and care they showed Solon during his last years.

The immediate family asks family and friends to join them in a service at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5731 Airport Road, Roanoke, Virginia, October 24 at 11:00 AM. The service will be immediately followed by a celebration of life where everyone is encouraged to share their remembrances and stories of Solon. He will be laid to rest beside his wife, Claudine, at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Virginia Veterans Service Foundation

Checks can be made payable to “Virginia Veterans Service Foundation.” with “Solon Simpson-DMVCC” in the memo line and sent to 101 North 14th Street, 17th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219.