Obituary of Carl D. Simpson

Carl D. Simpson, 81, of Columbia passed away peacefully on Thanksgiving morning after a brief illness. With Carl, anything was possible. As community organizer, he was past-president of the Shandon Neighborhood Council and other neighborhood and community groups, deeply involved in preservation and public access projects for the Congaree river, and he was instrumental in the establishment of Congaree National Park and in other local, state and national environmental efforts. He was also a lifelong boating and motorcycle enthusiast and gifted amateur mechanic and tinkerer. More than anything he loved his family and valued loyalty and service to friends and family alike. A 36-year employee of the Norfolk-Southern Railway and a graduate of Carlisle Military School in Bamberg, Carl might best be described as honorable; a man to be admired and emulated, with a legacy of always giving back to neighbors and community and extreme resourcefulness in the face of any challenge. Surviving him are son, L. Thomas Simpson (Janie) of Lexington; daughter, Joyce A. Culp (David) of Aiken; grandchildren, Liam B. Culp, Hailey Cooper (Brent) and Andrew Culp of Aiken; and numerous step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his wife of 49 years, Polly M. Simpson (d. December 22, 2014); mother, Jannie S. Simpson (d. 2004); and father Leonard H. Simpson (d. ca. 1937). A small, private ceremony is being arranged at this time. Memorials can be made, in lieu of flowers, to the National Alliance for Mental Illness - South Carolina Chapter (www.namisc.org) or Congaree River Keeper (www.congareeriverkeeper.org). A special thanks to the staff of NHC Lexington - Jasmine Unit, and Karis Hospice for their loving care during his final days.