Jerry Simpson

Jerry Bruce Simpson died May 30, 2008, from a massive heart failure while at work for the BNSF Railroad.

He was born Aug. 27, 1959, to Russell and Dorothy, (Kleeberger) Simpson in Missoula. Jerry attended schools in Missoula and Florence, and graduated in 1978 from Stevensville High School.

After graduation, he went to work for BNSF Railroad. In 1979, he took a leave of absence to serve in the Marines. Jerry became the third generation of Simpsons who were proud Marines.

He returned to the railroad and, like his father, was still working for BNSF when he died.

In August 2005, he married the great love of his life, Anita Marie Steiner.

Jerry was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and a devoted hunter and sportsman. Jerry, Anita and Sepp enjoyed scuba diving in Mexico, Belize and Costa Rica.

His many friends appreciated his unique sense of humor and his contagious laughter.

He leaves behind his wife Anita and her son Sepp, of Kalispell; his mother Dorothy Simpson, of Corvallis; sister Susan Wortman and husband Rick, of Stevensville; aunts Phyllis Avery, of Edmonds, Wash., and Ruth Crane, of Lewistown; many cousins in Montana, Colorado, Washington and Oregon; mother-in-law Ann Steiner and sister-in-law Elisabeth Steiner, both of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and numerous friends.

A memorial service is planned for later this summer.