Richard Steven Simpson
November 7, 1948 – October 17, 2024
Richard Steven Simpson, 75, longtime, Downey resident, passed away on Thursday, October 17, 2024, as a result of many lingering health issues. Steve was born on November 7, 1948, in Charlotte, North Carolina, the son of David and Myrtle Helms Simpson. He was the 11th of 11 children born to his parents. He was raised and educated in Charlotte, North Carolina, graduating from Garinger High School in 1968. He received his associates degree from American River College in Sacramento, California. Steve proudly served in the United States Air Force starting in 1969 and served our country in the Vietnam War at the Tan Son Nhut Air Force Base in Vietnam until December 1971.
He met and married the love of his life, Patricia Howe, in Oakland, California on June 10, 1972. They eventually settled in Downey, Idaho to raise their 5 children. Steve was known for being the “town Santa” for many years and enjoyed bringing joy to all the children and families that he served by doing that. He was also written in as a candidate and voted in as the Mayor of Downey in the1980’s and served in that capacity for his four year term after having served as a councilman. He loved staying active and did so by running marathons and biking in his earlier years, and later by doing water aerobics at Downata Hot Springs after retirement. He did all these things while working at Nucor Steel in Plymouth, Utah for 26 years, where he retired in 2007. Steve was generous with his time to anyone who needed it, as he helped many people in town who were older than him up until the time that he could no longer get around. He will be missed by so many people, especially by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild, who all have fond memories of Grandpa Downey in many capacities.
Steve is survived by his wife and 4 of his children: Cheree Simpson of Salt Lake City, Utah, Kellie (Doug) Carling of Layton, Utah, Todd (Kim) Simpson of Providence, Utah, and Adam (Tara) of Pocatello, Idaho, 12 grandchildren (one currently serving on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Nevada) and 1 great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his son, Matthew Simpson, his parents, and all of his siblings.
Funeral services will be held at the Downey Church on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 12 noon. Friends and family may attend a viewing on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, from 7-8 p.m., or on Thursday prior to the services from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Burial will follow Thursday’s services in the Downey City Cemetery.