Gayland E. Simpson, 79, passed away peacefully May 15, 2016, in Bryan, Texas.
Gayland was born Dec. 23, 1936, in Sheffield, Vermont, the son of Theodore
A. Simpson and Fannie A. (Reed) Simpson, who have predeceased him. On
Dec. 18, 1954, he married the love of his life, Nancy J. (Morse) Simpson.,
who predeceased him July 6, 2000.
Gayland was a stand-out athlete at Lyndon Institute and an all-star member
of the Vermont Football team that played New Hampshire in the first Shrine
Maple Sugar Bowl in 1954. He very proudly served his country in the U.S.
Army and was a member of the Green Mountain Boys until he started his
career with IBM, whom he worked for until his retirement.
In 1975 Gayland's increased interest in golf and warmer, snowless winters -
along with a growing dislike for frozen water pipes and snowplowing his
extremely long driveway - led to his decision to sell his snowmobile, pack
up his family, and transfer with IBM from Vermont to Texas. He and Nancy
moved from Texas to Florida and back a couple times and his golf clubs
made each trip. Golf became quite the hobby. He loved to play, marshal and
aide at tournaments. Gayland's volunteerism let him to be able to see old
and current golf legends play the game. His love of sports led him to lend a
hand where he could at Texas A&M for track and field, amateur golf, and
wherever his help was needed. He also enjoyed attending games, meets, and
tournaments as a spectator.
Being an old farm boy, Gayland enjoyed driving tractors, working the fields,
and helping on the farm when he visited his daughter and son-in-law during
his New York visits. Gayland is survived by his wife Charlotte Simpson of Bryan; children Karen
Riedesel and husband Phillip of Westfield, N.Y., Peter Simpson and wife
Tamara of Weatherford, Texas, Dana Simpson and wife Sheila of Spring,
Texas, and Rhonda Darnell and husband Michael, of Paducah, K.Y.;
grandchildren Patrick, Ryan, and Ross Danaher, Richard, Samuel, Ariel
Simpson, Katrina Murdock, Lauren Cooper, Dane and Mallory Simpson,
Jonathan Kidd, and Jessica Hargrove; 17 great-grandchildren; his brother
and sister-in-law Gary and Pamela Simpson of Lyndonville, Vt.; brother-in-
law Steve Morse, sisters-in-law Marilyn Sackett, Beverly Mayo, and
Stephanie Grotz; many nieces and nephews.
We are grateful and comforted that Gayland's sense of humor stayed with
him until the end of his Earthly days. Medical staff who worked with him
appreciated his lack of complaint and easy going manner.
You are welcome to join us for a celebration of Gayland's life at the
Methodist church in Lyndonville, Vt. on Oct. 8, 2016, at 11 a.m.
Refreshments will follow in the church's fellowship hall.
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