Alfred K. Simpson Jr.

Al Simpson of Naples, Florida and Mission Hills, Kansas passed away at home in peace surrounded by his family after a brief decline on Saturday March 5, 2011. Al was born to A.K. Simpson, Sr. and Murl Schofield Simpson on January 8, 1924, a birth date he proudly shared with Elvis Presley. Al was a distinguished member of the Greatest Generation as a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was the Captain of a B-17 bomber that was crippled by anti-aircraft fire over Germany in 1943. He successfully guided the wounded airplane thru the clouds to a safe off-field landing in Sweden with no loss of life to any of his crew. With a promise to the neutral Swedes to not return to the European war theatre he was sent to Yuma, Arizona to train new bomber pilots. While in Arizona, Al met Jean Spain and was married in 1944 and they had two adored daughters, Christi and Carol. Shortly after the war, he moved to back to his beloved Kansas City and went to work with his father Al, Sr. at the family business, Union Finance Company at 15th and Oak. He and his father were later joined by his younger brother Donald S. Simpson who worked at the affiliated Union Insurance Agency. Al subsequently married Jeanne Reeves in 1950 and they had two sons, Mark and Steven. Upon the death of his father in 1962, Al was promoted to be President of Union Finance and successfully expanded the business with the help of his brother Don to having offices across Missouri and Kansas. The business was sold in the 1970's to a predecessor of Bank of America. Al then joined Service Corp International to teach Entrepreneurship to foreign businessman. He and his wife Ann Crawford Simpson travelled for 6 plus month long assignments to Sri Lanka and Budapest, Hungary. He greatly enjoyed being a member of Young President Organization where he was a Chapter President and was to make many of his most enduring friendships with fellow entrepreneurs. After graduating from YPO as a 49'er he joined OPO (Other Presidents Association) and was active in that organization for many years keeping in close touch with his lifelong friends throughout the business community. Al was a 50 plus year member of Mission Hills Country Club, former member of the Kansas City Club, Saddle & Sirloin Club, The Vineyards Country Club in Naples, Florida and a member of the Board of Directors of Red Bridge Mercantile Bank. Al was a private pilot for over 55 years and owned several Beechcraft's with his brother Don. He skillfully flew his young family to see most of the 48 states and to as far away as Central America. He also had a lifelong passion for classic cars. Over the last 25 years he rarely missed the annual August pilgrimage to the Pebble Beach Car Weekend in Monterey, California with his son Mark and in later years with his son Steven and grandson Christopher. Al for many years hosted annual summer family reunions from Hawaii to the Rockies and the Caribbean. His entire family would enjoy a week of being with him and Ann either on horseback, at the lake, in the mountains or on the sea. He was an expert gin rummy player, always prepared at a moment's notice to play a friendly game if the stakes were right. Papa was loved and cherished by all and left an indelible mark on everyone in his family. He will be forever missed and be thought about often by them. In passing he leaves his four adult children and 7 grandchildren; Kim Tuccillo of Kansas City, Missouri, Kelly Hoyt of Overland Park, Kansas, Marty Aarreberg and Marshall Moore of Lower Lake, California, Christopher Moran of Farley, Missouri, Shauna Simpson of San Diego, California and Chelsea Simpson of Kansas City, Missouri. He also was very proud of his 12 great grandchildren. Services will be held on Tuesday, March 8th, at the Mount Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home at 10507 Holmes. Visitation with the family will be at 2:00 PM followed by services and interment at 3:00 PM. The family requests no flowers, but donations be made to either the Kansas City Humane Society or to Kansas City Hospice. Condolences may be made at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com.