Benjamin Thomas (Tom) Simpson, age 69 of Harlan, passed away Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012, at the Harlan ARH, while surrounded by his family.
Tom was a lifelong resident of Harlan County. After graduating from Harlan High School he attended Southeast Community College and the University of Kentucky. Tom served two years in the United States Army. After returning home, he worked initially at Harlan National Bank. Through the years he was involved in the coal industry, having been a partner in the Ridge Top Coal Co. and the Simpson-Whitfield Coal Co. He was employed by Bow Valley Coal Resources, Great Western/New Horizons Coal Co., Crockett Colleriers, and Nally and Hamilton. After leaving the coal industry he served as manager of Harlan Farmers Supply Co. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Harlan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Hazel Simpson.
Surviving are his wife of 43 years, Mary Rose Herrell Simpson; children, Ben (Janice) Simpson of Georgetown, Stacy (Melanie) Simpson of Lexington, and Sgt. Jeremy Simpson of Fayetteville, N.C.; one brother, Ken (Barbara) Simpson of Middlesboro; grandchildren, Payton Brown, Brayden, Katherine “Kate”, Brantley, Jasmine Simpson and Kendall Bickett; brother-in-law, Jesse (Sharon) Herrell; sister-in-law, Betty (Tony) Cox all of Sevier County, Tenn.; special mother-in-law, Mabel (J.T.) Herrell of Harlan. He also leaves several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends to mourn his passing.
Visitation is Friday Sept. 21, from 5-7 p.m. at the Anderson-Laws & Jones Funeral Home.
Funeral services will follow at 7, p.m. in the chapel of Anderson-Laws & Jones Funeral Home with the Rev. Brandon Pugh officiating.
Graveside services will be Saturday, Sept. 22, at noon at the Resthaven Cemetery Chapel. Pallbearers will be Shelb Wilson, Claude Wilson, Danny Howard, Ronnie Bingham, Mike Coldiron and Carl Moody.
In lieu of flowers the family request memorials to the Harlan Baptist Church Kitchen Fund, P.O. Box 883, Harlan, KY 40831, or to the First Presbyterian Church of Harlan, 306 E. Clover St. Harlan, KY 40831.
Condolences may be left at www.harlanobits.net
Anderson-Laws & Jones Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Simpson family.
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