Jack Simpson

Former Odebolt resident, Jack Simpson passed away March 4, 2020 at the age of 93. He was a big part of the Odebolt community while he lived there, as was his wife Joan. They ran Singers Department Store, and Jack was post master, belonged to many Odebolt organizations and served on many boards.

I looked in the on-line Odebolt Newspaper Archive and found this article from Odebolt's newspaper, The Chronicle.

(Click the image to view the larger version.)

Below is Jack's obituary, taken from Farber & Otteman's on-line obituary archive

Jack Simpson, youngest son of Murel and Pearl (Cleveland) Simpson was born on a farm near Sac City on June 2, 1926.  He passed away at the age of 93 on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, at Loring Hospital in Sac City.

Jack grew up in and around Sac City, graduating from Sac City Public School in 1944.  He participated in athletics in high school, but track was his real love.  He became the 100 yard dash champion of the State of Iowa in 1944.  During the summer of 1944 he entered the United States Army serving two years and was discharged as an Army Sergeant. 

   In the fall of 1946 he enrolled at the University of Iowa to continue his education and participation in track.  He became the first freshman to lead the team in scoring and was elected Captain of the team.  He won four major letters while participating in track and became the first track athlete to accomplish this at the University of Iowa.  He received a Bachelor of Science Degree at the University in June of 1950.

   Jack and his wife operated a retail store in Odebolt for twenty-five years.  He went to work in the Odebolt Post Office in 1959 and continued working there until his retirement in 1987, retiring from the position of Postmaster.

   On August 22, 1948, Jack married Joan Schwitzer in Sac City.  To this union were born five children.  Their second child, Vickie Marie was born in 1951 and passed away in 1953.  Their youngest son, John, passed away in 2001.  Those remaining to mourn his passing include his wife Joan of Sac City; sons: Tom (Mary Kay) Simpson of Colorado, Greg Simpson of Salina, KS, daughter, Deborah (Doug) Haase of Denison, IA; eight grandchildren: Jessica, Kristin, Emily, Brandy, Wade, Colby, Emma and Jack; eleven great-grandchildren: and one great-great grandchild; extended family members and many friends.

   Jack was preceded in death by his parents; brother Milford Simpson; daughter Vickie and son John.

   Jack enjoyed participating in community affairs.  He served as an elder and deacon in the Odebolt First Presbyterian Church.  He had been a member of the American Legion, Odebolt Rotary Club, The Odebolt-Arthur Community School Board, Masonic Lodge, Odebolt Fire Department, and Board of Directors for Colonial Manor Nursing Home.

   Jack and Joan had wintered in Mesa, AZ since retirement and enjoyed their traveling and visiting children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.