Kenneth "Ken" Lee Simpson

Kenneth Lee Simpson of Independence, Missouri, died Sunday, July 28, at Centerpoint Hospital, surrounded in love by his wife, Betty, his children and their spouses, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 10am on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at Woods Chapel Community of Christ Church. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am. Ken was born in Midland, Michigan on July 9, 1932 to LaVerne and Mildred (Ouderkirk) Simpson. He graduated with an associate degree from Graceland College in 1952, and again from Graceland in 1979 with a bachelor's degree. He also attended Kansas University and Central Michigan University, graduating with a degree in medical technology. He married Marion Kendrick on January 10,1954. Van was born in 1955, and they moved to Colorado Springs to complete Ken’s military service. They moved back to Independence in 1956, where Ken worked for the Independence Sanitarium and Hospital and then ran the Englewood lab until 1966. Judi came along in 1957, and Sue in 1960. Ken’s dream and passion was to work for the Community of Christ Church. He and Marion were appointed at World Conference 1966. He attended the School of the Restoration from September 1966 until May 1967. The first assignment took the family to Hazel Crest, IL in 1967 where Ken was District President of the Chicago District His second assignment was as North Atlantic States Regional President in 1973. The assignments to follow included British Isles Regional President, Central Missouri Stake President, North Atlantic States Region Staff Assistant in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, and Far West Stake President in St Joseph, MO. Ken retired from full-time appointment in 1991, and moved to Lee’s Summit, MO. His last assignment was Assistant to the President of the Council of Twelve from 1991-1994. It was a special blessing for him to serve his final years of appointment in the Temple. He continued to be active in the Woods Chapel Congregation. During this time period he was ordained to the Office of Evangelist Other activities included singing in the choir, various prayer ministries, and reading at most of the Christmas Eve services. He regularly participated in the Prayer for Peace services at the Temple. Ken loved reading, singing, working on the computer, playing the ukulele and banjo, and playing dominoes. In his early years he loved camping, going on medical missions, prison ministries, and leading church camps. When he married Betty they enjoyed many winters in Florida. Later in life they both enjoyed eating out with friends, dominoes, watching sports on TV and, of course, reading. Ken was best known for his wisdom, superior listening skills, quiet calm nature, orneriness, humor, and his voice. Oh, that voice. Whether singing or reading, Ken’s voice was iconic and a gift from God to be shared with all of us. His beautiful, soulful prayers were full of divine inspiration. Ken was a wonderful loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle, and we will all miss him greatly. He was a true and loyal friend whose friendship will always be cherished. His quiet strong faith guided those around him, and his voice led and comforted us. We will continue to be strengthened by his love, guidance, wisdom, and humor, as he will live in our hearts forever. Ken is survived by his wife, Betty (Young) Simpson; a son, Van and Jeanne Simpson of St. Joseph, MI; a stepson Greg Young of Independence, MO; a daughter, Judith and Craig Olson of Harlan, IA; a stepdaughter, Judy Young and Jeff Holzbaur of Independence, MO; a daughter, Susan and David McCanless of Lee’s Summit, MO; granddaughters Meghan Simpson of Grand Rapids, MI, Courtenay, Patrick, and Ryker Treece of Gallatin, MO, Jill Simpson of Grand Rapids, MI, Maggie, Tyler, and Adley Hosfield of Lee’s Summit, MO, Sarah and Bryan Lucke of Omaha, NE; and grandsons, James Olson, of Omaha, NE and Neil and Kimberly Houston, and Beau Young of Independence, MO. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marion (Kendrick) Simpson; his parents; sister Corrine Olson; and brother Durwood LaVerne (Bud) Simpson. Gifts are suggested to Outreach International and HealthEd Connect.