June 16, 1960 – November 15, 2024
OCRACOKE — John Edward Simpson, beloved father, brother, partner, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 15, 2024, in Ocracoke, N.C., at the age of 64. Born on June 16, 1960, in St. Petersburg, F.L., John lived a life rich with passion, dedication, and love.
A proud graduate of Ocracoke School in 1978, John embarked on a career with the United States Postal Service that led him to Yakima, WA. After dedicating many years to his work, he retired in 2013 and returned to his cherished Ocracoke Island, where he loved working and seeing friendly faces at the Variety Store.
John was an accomplished decoy carver, loved creating artwork, helped develop the Ocracoke Waterfowl Festival, and proudly served as the former President of the Ocracoke Island Decoy Carvers Guild. John loved supporting his community and loved to share with his family about the year-round festivals that he would participate in. His love for music enriched not only his life but also the lives of those around him, volunteering his time at WOVV Radio Station, where he was able to share his passion with the community. Deeply proud of his lighthouse heritage, John found joy in traveling with family, “shooting the breeze” with friends and loved ones, savoring BBQ, crafting fig preserves, cooking, and taking pictures.
John was known for his thoughtfulness, never hesitating to offer a helping hand, and for his ability to always be able to put a smile on everyone’s face. Even though John lived with Type I Diabetes, and its complications for the majority of his life, he never let that stop him from living the life he loved. He had unrelenting strength and determination with everything that he was dealt with and never complained. He truly lived his life to the fullest!
Preceded in death by his parents, Patsy Williams and Lawrence Simpson, John leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, perseverance, and friendship. He is survived by his son, Kyle Simpson, daughter-in-law, Gina and granddaughter Anslee Osbourne, his daughter, Laura Simpson, his ex-wife Jeanette Simpson, his devoted life partner, Trudy Austin, his nieces, Bonnie Burrus, Sarah Hovis, Amanda Gamache, his nephews, Christopher Burrus, Daniel Gamache, Eric Simpson, Christopher Simpson, his brother, Lawrence Simpson, and numerous family members and friends who he loved.
Family and friends are invited to pay their respects during a funeral service to be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at Ocracoke United Methodist Church. Following the service, everyone is welcome to join the family for a gathering at the Methodist Rec Hall at 2:30 pm. A private burial will take place at the Ocracoke Community Cemetery.
To honor John’s memory, donations may be made to the Ocracoke Island Decoy Carvers Guild or the WOVV Radio Station.
John Edward Simpson will be remembered for his kind spirit, thoughtfulness, ever-present smile, and unwavering commitment to those he loved. His presence will be deeply and forever missed, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.
