Melvin D. Simpson

Chief Master Sergeant ret. Melvin Dwayne Simpson, 83, of Overbrook, went to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 22, 2011. He was born in rural Ford County, KS, near Bucklin, on May 5, 1928. He was the eldest son of Roy D. and Martha Ellen (Jones) Simpson. Melvin attended Liberty Grade School, a one room school in Stanton County, KS, through the 3rd grade, and graduated 8th grade at South Hutchinson Grade School. He graduated from Hutchinson High School in May, 1946. He married Caroline E. Lowen on August 6, 1949 in Hutchinson, KS. They were married for 52 years, until she preceded him in death on April 12, 2002.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Glenn L. Simpson. He is survived by his sister, Dorothy D. Allen of Glade Spring, VA; nieces and nephews, Sheri Simpson of Wichita, KS, Susan Khornsari of Friendswood, TX, Kenneth Allen of Walnut Cove, NC, Douglas Allen of MT. Carmel, TN, and Linda Hager of King George, VA.
Chief Master Sergeant Simpson served in the military January 18, 1952 through May 3, 1988. He served on extended duty with the U.S. Air Force from January 18, 1952 until May 16, 1956 as Military Personnel Manager. From March 16, 1957 to May 3, 1988, Chief Master Sergeant was enlisted in the Kansas Air National Guard and served as a recruiting and personnel officer. He was employed in a comparable civil service position with the Kansas Air National Guard. He then worked with the Kansas Division of Emergency Management until 2004. On February 11, 1986, Chief Simpson was appointed as a charter member of the Board of Directors for the Museum of the Kansas National Guard at Forbes Air Force Base.
Chief Simpson has been a member of Overbrook Bible Church in Overbrook, KS. He had been a member of the American Legion Post # 239 since 1967. He also was a member of the Air Force Association, National Guard Association of the U.S., and The Enlisted Association of Kansas. Chief Simpson was inducted into the Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame in 1992. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Hutchinson since 1967. He was designated as a "Diamond Donor" by the Kansas Masonic Foundation. He received an Air Force Commendation, National Defense Service Medal and other various state awards. Chief Simpson was a member of the Overbrook Rotary Club since 1972 and recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a loving and generous individual.
Chief Simpson will lie in state from 3:00 until 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 26th at the Museum of the Kansas National Guard, 6700 SW Topeka Blvd. (the main entrance of Forbes Field) in Topeka. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, October 27th at the Museum, with a visitation to be held at 9:00 a.m. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m. at Fairlawn Burial Park, 2401 Carey Blvd. Hutchinson, KS. Memorial contributions may be made to the Museum of the Kansas National Guard, P.O. Box 19285 Topeka, KS 66619, or to Overbrook Bible Church.