Harry David Simpson

Harry David Simpson died Saturday, November 30, 2024 surrounded by his loving family, following complications from pneumonia. David was the second son of Harry J (Hank) and Edith Louise Madsen Simpson, and was born on February 1, 1939 in Mt. Pleasant, Utah. He had three siblings, Jay, Pete and Paula.

David married Lucy Zabriskie, and they had three children, Kevin, Konnie and Kurtis. David and Lucy later divorced. After their divorce, he met his sweetheart, Mary Mangum Tucker, and they just celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary. Together, he and Mary enjoyed spring baseball and traveling around the world. They spent many winters in Mexico, and they hold dear their friends who have become family.

David loved fishing, hunting, and hiking along the valleys and mountains of Mt. Pleasant. In 1957, David completed basic training with the Utah National Guard at Fort Ord, California. He first served in Fort Chaffe, Arkansas with the 145th Field Artillery. Following this assignment, he attended CBR (Chemical, Biological and Radiological) School in Fort McClellan, Alabama, and then Atomic Bomb School in Fort Lewis, Washington, where he graduated #1 in his class.

In 1961, David joined the Salt Lake City Fire Department. David's nickname at the Fire Department was "Rojo" because of his red hair. He loved his fellow firefighters and retired in 1983 as a Captain.

David loved the color purple, horse races and the Dallas Cowboys. He was known to have placed a bet or two on several football games.

David is preceded in death by his parents, brother Jay, brother-in-law Dean, sons Kevin and Kurtis, and son-in-law Bill. He is survived by his wife, Mary M. Simpson, brother Pete (Emma), sister Paula, daughter, Konnie Gibson and grandson, JJ. He is also survived by Mary's children, who became his own, Janet (Don), Michael (Sue), Elaine (Ramon), and grandchildren Jeffrey, Dustin, Jennifer, Jaime, Lindsay, Dylan, Michael, and Alexis, as well as their spouses and children.

A celebration of life will be held at Valley View Memorial Park Chapel, 4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City, Utah on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 11:00 am.

The family would like to thank the staff at Cascades at Riverwalk, especially Stephanie, Michelle, and Jason for their loving care of David following his time in the hospital.