Don grew up on a farm in Wisconsin and fixed up a house in the country to raise his family in Oregon. He had no need to go "ramming around", with Sunday mornings for church and the rest of the week for carpentry, sports, politics, projects, and hanging out with friends and family, often by the fire pit. He hosted great Fourth of July celebrations, Perseid meteor shower viewings, and Easter vigil fires. He is survived by his wife Toni; his children, Ben and Leslie; and ten of his eleven siblings.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Agnes Simpson of Durand, Wisconsin, and his brother Mike.

Mass will be Thursday May 25th 11:00 am at St Paul's Catholic Church in Silverton, OR.  In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to Benedictine Sister in Mt. Angel, OR