Joseph Walker Simpson III, age 74, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 in Austin, Texas. A lifelong Texan, Joe was born February 11, 1947 in Conroe to parents Doris Brogdon Simpson and Joseph Walker ‘J.W.’ Simpson spending his childhood in Conroe and surrounding Montgomery County, winning the 1964-1965 Boys Doubles 3A Tennis State Championship and graduating in 1965 as Valedictorian of Conroe High School.
Joe was a 1969 graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, and a 1973 graduate of The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, specializing in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. He was a physician for many years serving in private practice in Harlingen, Texas and later spending 34 years as Unit Medical Director at the San Marcos Treatment Center caring for adolescent and young adult patients before retiring in 2019.
Having lived in Austin since 1985, Joe was a regular fixture on the food and beverage scene, always scouting new restaurants, chefs, and cuisines in between Longhorn Athletic events at the Erwin Center, Memorial Stadium or Disch-Falk Field. A lifelong runner, Joe completed many marathons and made countless loops around Town Lake but also appreciated a good margarita at Matt’s El Rancho.
He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his daughters, Molly Lauren Simpson and husband Kent Van Steenbergh of Shanghai, China and Julie Simpson Guinta and husband Chris of New York, New York; and their mother Laurie E. Ruddy of Austin, Texas. Joe (Granddad) adored his three beautiful grandchildren, Alexander Charles Van Steenbergh, Hannah Elizabeth Guinta, and Harrison Brogdon Guinta and the time spent with them brought him so much joy. Joe is also survived by his paternal aunt, Virginia Ruth Clarke of Mountain Home, Texas; cousin Jack D. Clarke III and wife, Carolyn also of Mountain Home, Texas; and his life-long friends, Charles ‘Chuck’ Brannon, John Collins, and Mike Malloy.
Due to Covid-19 international travel restrictions, a memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to The Trail Foundation, The Longhorn Foundation, or your charity of choice. He will be greatly missed
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