James H. “JIM” Simpson, Jr.
January 8, 1928 – November 3, 2019

James Hendley “Jim” Simpson, Jr. was born in Hallettsville, Texas on January 8, 1928 to James Hendley Simpson, Sr. and Alma (Carpenter) Simpson. After completing high school he attended Texas A&M University, where he graduated in 1949 with a B. S. degree in Business. Jim was a proud member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band during his college years. After college he served in the US Army and was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. There he met the love of his life, Lois. They were married in Springfield, Missouri in 1954 and returned to Hallettsville that same year. Jim joined the First National Bank of Hallettsville, where he ultimately retired as Chairman of the Board in 1983. Jim and Lois moved to College Station in 1984 to become “fulltime Texas Aggies.” They would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on November 6th.

Jim was active in a number of civic organizations throughout his life. His primary focus was as a member of Rotary International, where he served as President of the Hallettsville Club in 1960-1961 and as Governor of Rotary District 5870 in 1962-1963. He served for more than 60 years in Rotary, and traveled all over the world participating in Rotary projects, including leading a Group Study Exchange group to Australia in 1993 and traveling to Kenya to help deliver school supplies to local children in 2000. He was the epitome of the Rotary motto “Service Above Self.”

Jim is survived by his wife Lois; his children, Scott (and Stephanie George Simpson) of College Station, JD of Rockport, Texas; and Stephanie McDonald of Buena Vista, Colorado; and his grandchildren, Matthew McDonald of Nashville, Tennessee, and Jamie McDonald (and fiancé Troy Johnson) of Kirkland, Washington.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Hospice Brazos Valley (hospicebrazosvalley.org), the Texas Aggie Band Association (tabaonline.com) or the Bryan Rotary Club (bryan-rotary.org).

Visitation will occur between 5 pm and 7pm Sunday, November 10, at Callaway-Jones Funeral Center, in Bryan, Texas. Funeral service will begin at 11:30am Monday, November 11, also at Callaway-Jones Funeral Center. Interment will immediately follow at the College Station City Cemetery.