Meeting Gary Simpson
Once again my Navy Veteran pal Roy Hermann tipped me off to another fine veteran, so I immediately contacted U.S. Army Veteran Gary Simpson, which led us to meeting at Friendly Valley’s office facility several weeks ago. Now, you can meet Gary.

Gary F. Simpson Staff Sergeant E-6

Strong Work Ethic
Gary F. Simpson was born on Nov. 23, 1945 in Dayton, Ohio where he lived until he was two years old. At that age, his family moved to Rochester, New York for the next five years, until they moved to Hilton, New York near Lake Ontario.

When Simpson turned 14, his family moved to Compton, California where he graduated from Dominguez High School on June 21, 1963.

During high school, he began learning his strong work ethic by working as a Chevron gas station attendant pumping gas for customers, checking their tires and washing windows.

In the good old days, gas station attendants provided full service, and back then 100 octane gasoline was available.

Simpson fondly recalls his hot rod customers (AKA street racers) loving that high octane fuel.

Steam Fitter Apprenticeship
While attending high school, Simpson’s neighbor, a welder, introduced him to his craft.

Simpson became infatuated with that occupation and it wasn’t long before he submitted an application to pursue a five-year steamfitter apprenticeship at Gardenia’s Local Union 250 Office.

After high school, at six-foot five inches, Simpson attended Long Beach State where he played on their football team. However, a year later he was accepted into an apprenticeship program, so he promptly departed college.

Meanwhile in 1965, Simpson received Uncle Sam’s greeting letter which motivated him to seek his union’s support to obtain a U.S. Army draft deferment.

For Simpson, learning a trade was far more appealing than becoming an infantry grunt in Vietnam and to his great fortune, a five-year deferment was approved enabling him to pursue becoming a steamfitter journeyman.

Second Draft Notice

Just when it seemed his future was set as a journeyman, on New Years Eve 1970 his mother advised him that an important letter arrived in the mail.

He was stunned when a second greeting letter from Uncle Sam was drafting him into the U.S. Army. Simpson quickly reviewed his options with Navy and Air Force recruiters, but once the Army guaranteed him his job choice along with a promotion to Specialist E-5 after basic training, he promptly volunteered for a three-year stint.

Gary F. Simpson Engineering Unit Patch

As a Private E-2, Simpson began his 12-week basic training on May 5, 1971 at Fort Ord, California.

As his unit’s oldest and largest newly minted soldier, his 1^stSergeant promptly slipped acting 1^stSergeant Stripes onto his arm, which meant he would issue orders to his fellow soldiers.

Ordinarily, soldiers would object and hassle an acting sergeant, but no one chose to mess with Simpson who towered over his fellow troopers. He was so tall that he couldn’t sleep in his short bunk, so he slept with his mattress on the floor until he was issued a private room.

After basic training, Simpson was promoted to Specialist 5 with a Plumber’s MOS (Military Occupation Code) as promised and following his two-week leave of absence, he reported to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

Honorable Discharge
Once Simpson finished six months of Non Commission Officer (NCO) School, Construction Foreman Training and Instructor Preparation Training, he graduated at the top of his 30 soldier class.

Near the end of training, he received orders for Berlin, Germany, but those orders quickly changed sending him to South Korea, which he found most disconcerting.

However, just before deployment he was abruptly reassigned to remain at Fort Leonard Wood as a plumber instructor. Within two years of active duty, he was promoted to Staff Sergeant E-6; moving up that quickly was rare in a non combat environment.

As the Vietnam War diminished, fewer troops were required, thus the draft ended. To Simpson’s good fortune, he received his honorable discharge on Feb. 4, 1974, three months early.

Shortly after returning home, he volunteered for the National Guard for one year. Following his service, he promptly returned to his union continuing his steamfitter work until he gained employment in 1985 with Los Angeles County.

Simpson served as construction project manager, overseeing projects in the San Fernando and Antelope Valleys during his last six years before retiring in 2008.

Friendly Valley

In 1976 while living in Sunland, Simpson was introduced to Karen Stubbs by her sister Kathy and thus their relationship blossomed over a two-year period.

Gary F. Simpson Certificate of Appreciation

In 1976 while living in Sunland, Simpson was introduced to Karen Stubbs by her sister Kathy and thus their relationship blossomed over a two-year period.

Simpson and Karen were married on September 9, 1978 and their private wedding was held with close friends and family attending a lovely outdoor gazebo ceremony at a charming Santa Barbara Church.

They went on to raise three sons and their family expanded to include three grandchildren.  They moved from Sunland to Canyon Country in 1988 and then to Friendly Valley in 2011 where Simpson became active in his new community.

He has served in their Home Owner Association’s Board of Directors and currently supervises maintenance operations for Friendly Valley’s golf course. He and his wife also volunteer in their church’s youth program.

One of Simpson’s passions is helping facilitate Friendly Valley’s annual Memorial Day ceremonies.

Veterans Administration
Due to his military service, Simpson has relied on the Veterans Administration (VA) for healthcare for 18 years. He became legally blind from macular degeneration and he’s suffered hearing loss.

Gary F. Simpson at Friendly Valley

Jim and Pam Hogan, deserve huge kudos for introducing him to the VA’s “Vision Impairment Support Team” (VIST), which resulted in acquiring sight adaptive equipment and greatly improving his quality of life.

Though Simpson’s vision is terribly impaired, after spending several hours with him I became very impressed with his mobility and his positive “can do attitude”.

Thanks to the VA, he learned to safely use carpenter power tools such as a table saw, miter saw, lathe, etc. Through his knowledge, he’s been able to create beautiful wooden bowls that he gifts to family and special friends.

His hobbies also include golf and fishing. Gary, you are a true asset to your community. I salute your excellent military service and your outstanding community contributions!

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