Simpson

Edgar Thomas Simpson, a Pendleton resident, died Wednesday, January 14, 2015, at a local care facility. He was 88 years old.

Viewing will be held Thursday, January 15, 2015, between 9:00 a.m. and noon at Burns Mortuary of Pendleton. A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, January 17, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. at Burns Mortuary of Pendleton chapel. Sign the online condolence book at www.burnsmortuary.com Burns Mortuary of Pendleton is in charge of arrangements.

Edgar was born February 22, 1926, to James D. and Hazel M. (Farrow) Simpson in Weston, Oregon.

He enlisted into the U.S. Navy in 1944. He served his country on the USS Talladega in the Asiatic and Pacific Campaigns, and was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946.

Edgar married Carolyn J. Lawler on May 14, 1949. Together they celebrated 65 years of marriage, creating their 10 children, 24 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

He was a member of the Local 72 Boilermakers Union. He missed the camaraderie of his fellow Boilermakers. Early in his career he worked at the shipyards in Portland, but his real passion was the field construction. He was picked as craft supervisor on numerous jobs, too many to list.

Edgar was a true underdog. His favorite teams were of course the Oregon Ducks, the Portland Trail Blazers and his San Francisco 49ers. He proudly went to every Oregon Basketball Classic from the first, until his health prevented him from attending. He loved the Pendleton Bucks and Nixyaawii boys and girls ball teams, also Coach Rory at Helix, as well as watching Louisville girls basketball and “the kid” at Boise State play football. But most of all he loved to watch his kids and grandkids play any and all sports. He loved them all equally.

He was preceded in death a son, David Simpson.

Edgar is survived by his wife Carolyn; children: Dixie (Bruce), Averil, Hershel, Tom (Michelle), Shawn, Angie, Joey, Joel and Mary; 24 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.