Work Is Love Made Visible

James Clifford Simpson

September 21, 1920 – June 21, 2020

Founding Member of the Canadian Charolais Association

Cliff was born the 7th child of pioneers William F. and Mary E. Simpson in the first wooden house on the Heritage Quarter north of Rosetown, SK. His mother died when he was 27 months old leaving him with siblings Eleanor, Margaret, George, Nellie, Annie (now 103 years of age), Stewart and Edith. He also bonded with Hanna and John, Tom, Herb, and Mary McGlaughlin and step-mother Jenny Kennon and his brother Lawrence Merwin Simpson, and step-siblings Alf, Bill, Annie Kennon and Mabel Long.

He attended Camberly School for six years and worked for $5 / month in the 30’s at Maidstone, SK. Cliff married and loved his bride Joyce Irene Simpson née Hickerson October 12, 1949. Together they farmed and raised five children Dee, Mary, Don, Lois and Shirley in the Howard Powell School district. Family was top priority, he genuinely cared for all his family, friends and neighbours.

His passion was raising quality Charolois Cattle of Charose Acres. His daughter Dee Simpson (Wheatheart Charolais) and grandson Leon Strutt (Strutt Charolais) carry on the heritage herd of original Charolais brought to Canada.

Cliff was a leader of the 4-H Club, enjoyed playing ball and curling at the Kingsland School and in later years he enjoyed bowling, playing pool and singing with the Senior Choir. Whenever a community group was in need of help, Cliff and Joyce joined in. Cliff never quit farming even after he and Joyce moved to Rosetown. He bought, repaired and sold over 30 bale wagons. Not bad for a 99 year old man! To Cliff work is love made visible and visiting family was essential.

He is survived by his loving wife Joyce of 70 years and his children: Delores “Dee” Simpson (Pete Speir), Mary (Ron) Saunders, Don Simpson, Lois (Ken) Strutt and Shirley Simpson; grandchildren: Jim (Jill) Speir, Nathan (Christine) Saunders, Nadine (Brad) Yausie, Amber Simpson (Shawn Hudson), Dustin Simpson, Mark (Lindsay) Strutt, Leon (Raelyn) Strutt and Kyle (Amber) Strutt; great-grandchildren: Jules Speir, Colton, Ashton and Aiden Saunders, Kodan, Kaylyn and Carter Yausie, Oriana Hudson Simpson, Keane Hudson, Gavin, Vaughn, Geneva, Ty, Connor, Kaden, Jocelyn, Aubrey and Claire Strutt; and sister Annie James now 103 and all of his nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbours who look forward to seeing Cliff in heaven where he was predeceased by grandson Owen Strutt; his parents William and Mary Simpson; Joyce’s parents Garnet and Ida Hickerson; siblings Eleanor (Maurice) Cook, Margaret (Harold) Nyquist, Nellie (Roy) Weaver, Edith Vander Torre, George (Esther) Simpson, Stewart (Bernice) Simpson and Lawrence (Helen) Simpson; step-siblings Annie Kennon, Bill (Winnifred) Kennon, Mabel (John) Long and Alf Kennon; and brother-in-law Allen Hickerson. “If you get to heaven before I do just bore a hole and pull me through” Love Joyce.

Graveside service was held at 2:00 p.m. On Friday, June 26, 2020 at Edna Rose Cemetery with Reverend Allan Gairns officiating. Donations in memory of Cliff may be made to the Rosetown Senior Citizen Activity Centre, P.O. Box 67, Rosetown, SK S0L 2V0 or the Canadian Red Cross, 443 2nd Ave North, Saskatoon, SK S7K 2C1. Please bring your lawn chairs.