Ronald Durwood Simpson, 75, of Lexington Park died March 13, 2015, at his home following a lengthy struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Born on July 10, 1939 in Alliance, NC he was the sixth of seven children of the late Wilford Daniel and Nora Ophelia Daniels Simpson.

Upon his graduation from high school in 1957, Durwood, as he was known to family and school chums, enlisted in the Navy where he was very quickly introduced as Ron forevermore. He was honorably discharged, after two enlistments, as an Aviation Electrician's Mate First Class, AE1 and began his career as a civil servant at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in 1966.

It was during his last tour of enlistment at Patuxent River Naval Air Station when he met his future wife, Marlene on a blind date. They were married on October 20, 1962 and settled in Lexington Park upon his separation from the Navy.

His career serving our Armed Forces spanned 37 years by the time he retired from civil service in 1995. For the entirety of his career, he was involved in all manner of human factors engineering tasks for both experimental and established fleet assets. Perhaps one of the most interesting assignments came when tasked with developing an infrared beacon to be outfitted to our tanks during the first Gulf War to help our air defenses differentiate friendly tanks from opposition tanks and ultimately reduce the number of "friendly" fire casualties.

It is safe to say one of his proudest achievements on a personal level was the graduation of all four children from college. He was a clever guy with a very quick wit. There was not much that he couldn't figure out and was most at home when "tinkering" on something that needed to be fixed or modified to work a little better. Not one for the big social scene, but incredibly funny in smaller group settings of family or coworkers. And when the spring of the year rolled around it was time to turn some soil and get a few vegetables planted. Always fond of children he could often be seen at the edge of a gathering with two or three kids in tow spinning some tale or just whittling a stick that would keep them mesmerized long enough for their parents to catch their breath.

Mr. Simpson is survived by his wife of 52 years, Marlene Louden Simpson, children J. Daniel Simpson of Lexington Park, Lori Simpson Dean (Melvin) of Hollywood, Gregory Simpson, and Kristie Simpson Wood (Randy) of Lexington Park. His sisters, Sadie Paul of Gransboro, NC and Verna Miller of Goose Creek, SC also survive him as well as three grandchildren and one great grandchild. In addition to his parents, Mr. Simpson was preceded in death by his siblings Joyce Golden, Clarence Simpson, Louise Gaskill, and Mary Alice Cahoon.

Pallbearers will be Michael Tubbs, Ken Evans, Michael Rice, Clifton Paul, Melvin Dean, and Randy Wood. Honorary Pallbearers will be Don Harris, Karen Garner, Marty Mattingly, Art Weaver, Dennis Gorge.

Family will receive friends for Ron's Life Celebration on Thursday, March 19, 2015 from 5 to 8 p.m., with prayers being recited at 7:00 p.m., at Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. A funeral service will be conducted at Hollywood United Methodist Church, 24422 Mervell Dean Road, Hollywood, MD 20636, on Friday, March 20, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Joy Chapel Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 10665 Stanhaven Place Suite 205D, White Plains, MD 20695 or Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, PA.