James Simpson

James Miles Simpson, 75, died June 9, 2011, in Billings, Montana. He was born on September 2, 1936, in Crow Agency, Montana, to Jay F. Simpson and Cecelia (Pease) Roubideaux. Jim was raised by his grandparents in Rosebud, South Dakota while his father, a decorated pilot, served in WWII and his mother worker as a welder in the naval ship yards in Seattle. Jim left Rosebud at the age of 14 years old to be on his own and came to Montana. In Montana he met Ruby Sun Goes Slow at Lodge Grass and they were married on November 28, 1953 in Billings. In that union they had 3 children (Colleen, Jay, and Mike). Jim was a very proud skilled craftsman and dedicated union member brick layer for over 35 years. He was a business partner of Pease Masonry for 20+ years. He built numerous schools and worked on multiple commercial buildings throughout the state of Montana. Even in his retirement, he built a public barbeque pit for the Plenty Coups State Park for all to enjoy. He also was active in Crow Tribal matters that concerned the Crow Tribe. He was a member of the Ties in the Bundle Clan. Besides his children his passion was to spend time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved hunting and camping with family and friends in the Pryor Mountains. Jim shot his first bull elk in the Pryor Mountains in the early 1950s. Many friends tell the story that Jim was the first Crow tribal member to harvest an elk in the Pryor Mountains. Jim was the greatest camp cook and camp story teller. Many of his nieces and nephews who lived out of state, always made an annual trip back to Montana to camp or just go site seeing for the day with Jim. Jim is survived by his 3 children; Colleen, Reverend Jay (Marilyn) Simpson, and Mike (Laura) Simpson. His grandchildren are; Lachelle Simpson, Londa (Greg) Shane, Joel Simpson, and his namesake James Michael Simpson. He had 4 great-grandchildren; Drew, Matthew, Rylan, and Jaydence. He will be missed by his good friend and neighbor Ed Churchill. Jim is also survived by brothers, Raymond and Donald Roubideaux and Robert Pease. He also leaves behind one Aunt, Ellen Byers of Maple Valley, Washington. Jim is preceded in death by his wife, Ruby, his parents and one brother William. Dad and Papa, we will miss you deeply. We Love You. Cemetery: Burial will be 3:00 p.m. in Lodge Grass Cemetery. Visitation: Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday. Service: Vigil Service starting at 6:00 p.m. at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 13 at Freedom Church, 550 32nd St. W., Billings.