Harold Simpson

Harold Leroy Simpson, 85, died Monday, April 19, 2010, at The Bluffs in Columbia, Mo.

He was born Aug. 11, 1924, in Commerce, Mo., to Aaron Lloyd and Amy Ruth Duckworth Simpson.

He attended Illmo-Fornfelt Schools, graduating in 1942. He operated a ferryboat on the Mississippi River near Thebes, Ill., before enlisting in the service.

He served in the U.S. Army from March 1943 to March 1946. During that time, he also attended basic engineering courses at the University of Missouri under the Army's specialized training program.

During the war, he served in England, France, Holland, Belgium and Germany, with the 1251st Engineer Combat Battalion.

After the war, he worked for the U.S. government's ACIC division in St. Louis, which was part of the defense mapping system. He worked at ACIC as a supervisory cartographic technician with top-level security clearance. He was honored for 30 years federal service in the defense mapping agency in 1975. He retired in 1976.

He and his wife Frances divorced in 1950.

He and Betty Sue Coats were married April 18, 1953. The couple later divorced.

He enjoyed tinkering with cars and motor parts. He was a collector of things, and cherished his 1941 Buick convertible that he purchased after he returned from the war. During his retirement, he enjoyed working outdoors and reading.

Survivors include two grandchildren, Laura Johnston of Columbia and Aaron Johnston of St. Louis; a daughter, Linda Sue Flanagan of Tyler, Texas; two grandsons; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Lloyd "Buddy" Simpson; a daughter, Sharon Lee Simpson; his longtime companion, Karen J. Anderssen; and a great-grandchild.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

Graveside service with full military honors will follow at Oakdale Cemetery in Commerce.

Memorial donations may be made to the Scott County Historical Society or Oakdale Cemetery.