Virgil Simpson

Virgil Lynn Simpson, 85, of Raymore, Missouri, passed away on March 9, 2026, at home with his family by his side. Born on January 26, 1941, in Arkansas City, Kansas, he was the first child of Virgil Leonard and Capitola Blanche (Leap) Simpson.

Lynn married Carolyn Ewert on May 29, 1965, in North Newton, Kansas. Together they raised two sons, Tyler Charles and Paul Monroe. A lifelong lover of music, he graduated from Bethel College in 1964 with a degree in music education and taught high school music and instrumental band in Udall, Kansas. The family later moved to Denver, Colorado, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Student Personnel and Administration from the University of Denver and worked in Student Services at the Community College of Denver. A member of Christ Church Denver, he served as choir director there for several years.

Returning to Pratt, Kansas, Lynn worked in photography, served as Pratt Chamber of Commerce manager, and again in Student Services at Pratt Community College. In retirement, he spent a brief time as librarian at Skyline High School. He and Carolyn moved to Raymore, Missouri, in 2014 to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

Lynn enjoyed working with his hands, building a harpsichord, a model train table, and restoring a 1970 VW Beetle and a canary yellow VW Karmann Ghia. He loved to draw and paint with his grandkids. His lifelong passion for aviation began at age 16 when he started flying and earned his pilot’s license. In the 1970s he co-owned a Piper Cherokee and regularly flew the family between Colorado and Kansas. Later he built and flew radio-controlled model airplanes, a hobby the whole family enjoyed.

A devoted grandfather, he faithfully attended his grandchildren’s athletic, ballet, and music events and rarely missed a birthday. In his later years he discovered the joy of writing poetry, mostly limericks, delighting family and friends with his wry humor. He self-published a book of his poetry, Select Verse by a Country Poet, in 2017.

Above all, Lynn loved the Lord Jesus Christ. He came to saving faith through the ministry of Campus Crusade and followed the Lord faithfully throughout his life. He and Carolyn hosted weekly Bible studies and prayer groups in their home. His greatest legacy remains the Christian faith of his children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Carolyn; sons Tyler (Trisha) Simpson of Raymore, Missouri, and Paul (Mandy) Simpson of Smithville, Missouri; sisters Louise Reimer of Pratt, Kansas, and Glennis (Mike) Peterman of Cashion, Oklahoma; grandchildren Hannah (Tanner) Luce, Cully (Austin) Parker, Audrey (Jalen) Bowles, Jesse, Trey, Brenna, and Moriah Simpson; great-granddaughter Georgia Luce; and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.