A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of daniel reid simpson, former member of the general assembly.
Whereas, Daniel Reid Simpson was born on February 20, 1927, in the Town of Glen Alpine, to James Reid Simpson and Ethel Newton Simpson; and
Whereas, Daniel Reid Simpson was educated in the Glen Alpine public schools, and graduated from Wake Forest University with a bachelor's degree in 1949, and a law degree in 1951; and
Whereas, Daniel Reid Simpson served his country as a member of the United States Army from 1945 to 1946, where he was stationed in the South Pacific theater; and
Whereas, Daniel Reid Simpson practiced law for over 50 years with the firm of Simpson, Aycock, Beyer, and Simpson and, during that time, was a member of good standing in the Burke County Bar Association and the American Bar Association; and
Whereas, Daniel Reid Simpson showed an interest in public service throughout his adult life, serving with distinction in the General Assembly as a member of the House of Representatives during the 1957, 1961, and 1963 sessions, and as a member of the Senate during the 1985 through 1995 sessions, where he proposed several important changes in State government, including a bill that created Western Piedmont Community College; and
Whereas, Daniel Reid Simpson was elected Mayor of the Town of Glen Alpine and also as an Alderman for the Town; served as the attorney for the Town of Glen Alpine, Burke County, and Burke County Schools, and as a Burke County criminal court judge, and a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1968 and 1972; and
Whereas, Daniel Reid Simpson was active in the civic, fraternal, financial, and social life of his community, serving as a member of the Catawba Valley Lodge No. 217 Free and Accepted Masons, the Lions Club, the First Union National Bank, of which he served as Director, and the Glen Alpine Recreation Foundation, which he helped establish to create opportunities for local children to play organized football and baseball; and
Whereas, in 2007, Daniel Reid Simpson was honored by the Glen Alpine Recreation Foundation when it named its athletic facilities "Simpson Field"; and
Whereas, Daniel Reid Simpson was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church in Morganton; and
Whereas, Daniel Reid Simpson died on January 24, 2015, at the age of 87; and
Whereas, Daniel Reid Simpson is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Alice Leonard Simpson; daughters Ethel Barie Simpson and Mary Simpson Beyer and her husband, Richard; son, James Reid Simpson II and wife, Lannie; eight grandchildren: Kate Beyer Haas and husband Tyrone; Elizabeth Beyer; Caroline Beyer LaCalamito and husband Michael; Daniel Reid Simpson II; Elliott Simpson Todd; James G. Simpson; Mary Helen Simpson; and J. Reid Simpson III; and great-grandsons Beyer Simpson Haas and Hughes Reid Haas; and brother, James Abernathy Simpson; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of Daniel Reid Simpson and expresses its appreciation for his service to his county, State, and nation.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly of North Carolina extends its sincere sympathy to the family of Daniel Reid Simpson for the loss of a beloved family member.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Daniel Reid Simpson.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.