Thomas E. Simpson, Sr.

Thomas Edgar Simpson, Sr., 82, of Galesburg, Illinois, died at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at home.

Thomas was born January 8, 1942 in Knoxville, Tennessee, the son of John Paul and Lennie Vorine (Scarbrough) Simpson. Tom married Barbara Cecil in 1960. They divorced in 1967. He then married Ruby Howard in 1973. They divorced in 1992. In 2004 Tom married Tamson G. Pratt in Florida. She preceded him in death in 2016. Tom is survived by three sons, Thomas (Michele) Simpson, Jr. of Pinellas Park, Florida, Christopher (Pam) Simpson of Galesburg, and Wesley J. (Donna) Simpson of Dearborn Heights, Michigan; one daughter. Jennifer (Vince) Brown of Muscatine, Iowa; 18 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-granddaughters. He is also survived by one sister, Carol McCall of Abingdon, Illinois; and his stepchildren, Melody Shropshire, Michele (Tom) Moore, Jr., Shane (Karen) Moore, and Cindy (Earl) Pugh all of Florida, Christine Lofgren of Dahinda, Illinois, and Steve Goff of Abingdon, Illinois. Along with his parents and his wife, Tamson, Tom was preceded in death by six brothers, two sisters and one granddaughter, Monarae.

Tom worked at OMC Gale Products in Galesburg for 22 years. He later worked for Knox County Housing Authority for 7 years and retired from the Shriner’s Headquarters as a maintenance worker in Florida in 2007. Tom’s talents stretched in many different directions. He painted cars for many years, was an accomplished musician, played the guitar, sang, and wrote and produced many different songs throughout the years. Tom also played in numerous bands around the Galesburg area. He enjoyed being outdoors hunting, fishing, camping, and riding his snowmobile. He also loved to bowl and was a volunteer fireman for 15 years in Delong, Illinois. Tom was also a longtime member of the Abingdon Church of God of Prophecy in Abingdon, Illinois.

Pall Bearers will be Thomas E. Jr, Christopher A., Wesley Jay, Thomas E. III, Christopher M. and Jonathon P., Simpson.

Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 11, 2024 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Funeral services will be10:30 a.m. Friday, April 12, 2024 at the funeral home, Deacon Michael Crummer will officiate. Burial will follow at Abingdon Cemetery, Abingdon, Illinois. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.