Michael A. Simpson

Michael A. Simpson, age 76, of Urbana, passed away on Friday, December 30, 2016 at the Mercy McAuley Center. Michael was born on December 22, 1940 in Piqua to the late Burr A. and Kathryn Janet (Shafer) Simpson. He was a 1959 graduate of Urbana High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from The Ohio State University in 1963, and a Master of Education degree from Wright State University in 1971. Mike Simpson was the Art Teacher at Urbana High School for fifty years, and spent thirty years as the Athletic Trainer at UHS. Simpson was an Adjunct Instructor for Urbana University at the Ohio Reformatory for Women, Marysville, Ohio and the London Correctional Institute, London, Ohio. He served as an Adjunct Instructor through Clark State Community College for eight years.
Besides teaching Simpson was best known as a local artist. His unique style and unwavering interest in two primary themes; Urbana’s historic architecture, and collegiate and professional athletes, made his work instantly recognizable. Simpson’s paintings are featured in ongoing exhibits at the College Football Hall of Fame, and have been exhibited throughout the Midwest. He was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Urbana and sang in the Choir for fifty-eight years. Mike was a board member of the Champaign County Arts Council, a member of the Main Street Design Committee, and a George C. Scott Memorial Honoree.
He was a person who loved Urbana and Urbana High School. Michael demanded, and received, excellence from his students. He was brutally honest with his students and athletes, and consequentially, received high quality results from both disciplines. He loved his church, his God, his family, and this community.
Michael is survived by his wife, Leigh Ann Inskeep-Simpson; five children, Heather (Andrew) Jameson, Heidi (Travis) Rosser, Burr Simpson, Leman Simpson, and Brynach Simpson; five grandchildren, Sara Jameson, Kendall Jameson, Chase Hammonds, Conner Hammonds, and Kiersten Rosser; as well as a sister, Pat (Thomas) Detwiler.
A celebration of Michael’s life will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 7, 2017 in the First Presbyterian Church of Urbana (116 W. Court St.) with Rev. Steve Schumm officiating. Friends are invited to visit with the family over a potluck lunch after the service. Mike loved fellowship and food and one of the last things he enjoyed was our church Thanksgiving feast. Please plan to bring a covered dish and honor Mike in this way on Saturday.
Contributions in Michael’s memory may be made to the Burr Simpson Memorial Scholarship. Checks should be made out to Leigh Ann Inskeep-Simpson and sent to Civista Bank, 601 Scioto St., Urbana, OH 43078.
Services are in the care of WALTER & STOWE FUNERAL HOME, Urbana. Condolences may be made online by visiting wwwl.walterfunerals.com.