Jim Simpson - Umpire Passed Away Today......

[Captain_Thunder]

I just called to talk to Jim about him umpiring this weekend & his son informed me that he passed away earlier today.
He umpired this pass weekend in Marion & they are thinking a ball deflected off his shoulder pad & struck him in the head.
He had internal bleeding that he was unaware of & it caused this earlier today.
He has been posting on here as Simpoj.......

Please keep his family in prayers..........

 

[BulldawgsDirector]

Awful news. Thoughts and prayers to his family

 

[raidian70]

Thoughts and prayers to his family.

 

[BCsoftballDad]

This is very sad to hear. Great ump, and from my brief conversations with him, an even better man. My thoughts and prayers to his family.

 

[softballmom2000]

My thoughts and prayers to his family. So sad to hear.

 

[WWolff]

His family will be in my prayers.

 

[Jose_canusee]

He had just umpired our tournament on April 16.
Very sad. Our thoughts and prayers go to his wife and children.

 

[daboss]

I'm speechless. My deepest and heartfelt condolences to his family. I only knew him from OFC but have enjoyed his perspective of the game and how it should be played. I know it is only a game but the passion of people like Simpoj are the driving force why this sport is dearly loved by so many. I will miss his posts. I can't imagine how much his family and close friends will miss him. RIP.

 

[homerin]

Wizards elite 03 thoughts and prayers are with his family

 

[coachjwb]

That is heartbreaking to hear. Jim contributed a lot here to the Forum, and will be missed. I know I read several of his posts yesterday. Prayers for him and condolences to his family. Captain Thunder ... since you were obviously close to him, do you know anything we can do for his family?

 

[CoachTEA]

WOW! Back in January, Jim reached out to me inquiring about umpiring for our indoor event at Rialto Sports. I didn't know Jim, but I am deeply saddened about his passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family.

 

[okiedad1961]

Thoughts and prayers to his family.Read a few of his posts and started threads,all positive , we will miss his insite on the game.

 

[Mike_Craig_-_Ohio USSSA]

We with Ohio USSSA pass on our deepest sympathy and condolences to Jim's family. I personally only met Jim last summer as he umpired for me with NSA. He had a big heart and a love for the game.

I am totally stunned right now. We were just sitting at the park on Sunday comparing our boo-boo's (the grounds crew guy nailed me in the right knee with the tractor while we were discussing some field items Saturday morning). We were showing off our battle scars and laughing about them.

When I find out more info I will post here.

 

[TheSoftballZone]

Very Sad to hear about Jim passing, he umpire the Jamboree for years. He was so well like that Team would request him to do championship games. Prays go out to his family. Jim will definitely be missed on the forum and on the ball diamond.

 

[justin78]

Very sad news!! Thoughts are with his family. God bless!!

 

[Coach Mike]

Very sad to hear of this. It was in our game Rr05 against Stingrays 05 when he got hit. Prayers to his family.

 

[marshall1220]

Thoughts and prayers to his family.

 

[OHIOSTARZ 05]

Would like to say this last weekend was my first time meeting Jim, and what a guy. He umped both of are games on Saturday and in between games he came over and was sitting in the dougout with my girls. While sitting there he had more than half my team and parents laughing telling them story's of his past. Truly a great person and umpire. Thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family from the 05 Ohio Starz

 

[coachjwb]

If anyone has any stories about Jim that they would be willing to share, we would love to have you call into The Softball Zone Radio Show to tell them. I know many here were shocked by his sudden passing and, while I didn't know him, it sounds like from what I've read about him here that he may be listening in tonight and may enjoy some fond memories ...

 

[Mike_Craig_-_Ohio USSSA]

I was able to get some more info regarding Jim's memorial and service:

Visitation will be held at Charles C. Young Funeral Home, 4032 Hamilton Cleves Road, Ross, OH on Thursday, April 28 from 10 AM until the time of services at 12 noon with burial following in Butler County Memorial Park.

http://www.charlesyoungfuneralhome.com/home/index.cfm/obituaries/view/fh_id/11356/id/3677924