George Woodward Simpson, Sr. - Obituary

eorge Woodward Simpson Sr. passed away peacefully in the presence of family during the early morning hours of Sunday, 23 Nov 2025 at 90 years old. Born on 27 Dec 1934 and raised in Donora, PA as an equally proud Scot and “Mon Valley” man, he lived his life by one simple phrase uttered to him by his own grandfather, “Be a good lad.” His innate integrity and ambition to fulfill that promise was evident underneath what seemed to be a quiet and stern demeanor in his lifelong drive to be the kind, compassionate, protective, humorous, and devoted man, husband, father, and grandfather that all who knew him loved. After graduating from Donora High School in 1952 alongside Dorothy Kovalak Simpson, whom George would later reconnect with and wed in 2002, George attended Pennsylvania State University. He graduated with a Bachelor’s in Political Science as part of the class of 1956 alongside his first wife, Alice Gardner Simpson. George was also a brother with the Kappa Delta Rho fraternity and member of the ROTC at Penn State, which he used to launch incredibly diverse and fulfilling career in the United States Air Force from the time of his 1956 graduation to his 1984 retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel in Austin, TX. His proud 28 years with the USAF saw him stationed around the globe in service to his country as he and Alice built and raised their family; consequently, these experiences only served to deepen the appreciation he held for different world views and cultures that he ultimately imparted on his descendants. Though several of his overseas duties saw him consistently exposed to mortal danger, George stood steadfast and brave in his mission and devotion to his country. Dependability and quiet strength were hallmarks of George’s character both with the Air Force and as a family man. After retiring from the Air Force, he spent 15 years with the state of Texas filling multiple roles before retiring for a second time to be with his wife Alice prior to her passing in 2000. The majority of George’s peaceful retirement was shared with wife Dorothy in the life they built together in Etowah, NC following their wedding in 2002. Over the 21 years they lived happily in the area, he was often found working in their yard, caring for the local wildlife by way of a feeder that fed as many squirrels, deer, and bears as it did birds, and tinkering around the house when he and Dorothy were not enjoying their golden years together through travel or joyous moments spent locally. They moved to Maryland together with his beloved bird-feeder in 2023 to be closer to family, where his contagious smile, giving nature, sharp wit, and dry sense of humor immediately made him a beloved fixture in their community the same way he had always been everywhere else he had lived. He is preceded in death by his four grandparents; parents, James Wallace Simpson and Edna Woodward Simpson; sister, Jane Irvin; son-in-law, Theodore (Ted) Noel; and wife of 46 years, Alice. He is survived by Dorothy, his wife of 23 years, and by the four children he shared with wife Alice: daughter, Ann and husband Radd; son, George and wife Lisa; daughter, Jane and late husband Ted; and son, David and wife Schrie. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren (Wyatt, Seth, Catherine, Isan, Alison, Carly, Kailea, Andrew, Emma, and Austen) and 10 great-grandchildren (Clara, Cecilia, Madison, Holden, Courtland, Alice, Edith, Alessa, Klara, and Kaci). George loved his family and friends deeply, and his arms were always open to those who needed shelter from a storm, a listening ear, or a helping hand. He valued hard work, honesty, faith, devotion, a good meal, a hearty laugh, and above all, time with his loved ones. He gave true meaning to the words of “patriarch” and “patron,” led by example instead of just instruction, and was an inspiration to his family and his community, who will all miss him dearly. His service will be held on Saturday, December 6 at 10 AM the Marshall Marra Funeral Home, 216 Chess St. Monongahela, PA 15063. Burial will immediately follow at Monongahela Cemetery, 800 Country Club Rd. Monongahela, PA 15063. In lieu of flowers, please give your loved ones a hug and a kiss, and maybe ask someone “Is there anything I can do for you?” Online condolences can be made by using the Memories tab on this page.