Father, uncle, brother, friend, and activist Bobby Charles Simpson, 70, completed his life of service on August 5, 2021 after a sudden battle with pneumonia.

Born to parents Bobby Carl and Janice Simpson in Comanche, Texas on December 24, 1950, Bobby loved sports from a young age, competing in football, basketball, and track for Vernon High School with the aspirations of one day becoming a professional baseball player.

At just 17 years old, Bobby was in a severe car accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down. Bobby and his family ignored his doctors' prognosis that he would never have a normal life, a career, a family, or be able to drive again. Instead, Bobby graduated from high school on time, obtained his bachelor's degree from Hardin Simmons, and earned his master's degree from Texas Tech University. He re-learned how to drive using hand controls in an adapted van, got married, and started a family. "My body may not work anymore, but my brain sure does — so I'm gonna use it," he would often say.

A lifelong activist, Bobby dedicated his career to improving the lives of people with disabilities and equipping them to fully participate in society. In 1982, he made his first trip to Washington, D.C. to meet with members of the U.S. Congress. In 1983, he was appointed the chairperson of the Governor's Committee for Disabled Persons in Texas. He served as the Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services for the State of Arkansas and the State of Oregon under five governors from both political parties.

In 1990, Bobby assisted with drafting the landmark legislation The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which provided people with disabilities legal protection against discrimination. He was hand-picked to serve in Bill Clinton's presidential campaign as well as on his White House transition team in 1992. And he testified in front of Congress on multiple occasions to advocate for increased support for people with disabilities. "It's crucial to note that people with disabilities often feel disenfranchised, feel like second class citizens, feel like they really don't have an opportunity to participate meaningfully in society," he said in his address to Congress in 1996. "State vocational rehabilitation agencies and the professional counselors who work with them and the relationships we've established with the private sector allow us to open those doors to folks with disabilities."

Bobby was honored for his achievements with the 1980 Presidential Meritorious Service Award from the Texas Rehabilitation Association and the 1982 Barbara Jordan Award for Excellence in the Communication of the Reality of Disabled People. In 1998, he was named a co-patriot of the Presidential Medal Of Freedom by Justin Dart Jr., who was instrumental in passing the ADA.

After his retirement, Bobby continued his advocacy by serving as chairman of  the board of the Pennsylvania Roads to Freedom Center for Independent Living, which empowers people with disabilities to live full lives by providing resources and disability-related services. In all he did, professionally and personally, Bobby  fiercely fought for those who are far too often ignored and underrepresented.

To all who knew him, Bobby was a warm, joyful, and humorous person — always eager to offer a word of encouragement, a compliment, or to share a laugh with someone who needed it. He loved to fish, play water sports, bowl, watch the Dallas Cowboys every Sunday, and spend time with his loving family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Bobby Carl Simpson and Janice (Parker) Simpson, his second wife, Connie (Flook) Simpson, and his dear cousin Robert Ormsby. He is survived by his son Bobby James Simpson, his daughter-in-law Catherine Quinn Simpson, his stepchildren Michael, Mark, and Mindy Flook, his sisters Joni and Jana Simpson, his brother-in-law Trey Williams, his nieces Caroline and Amelia Williams, his uncle Woody Ormsby, his first wife Sara Kaufman, his dear friends Doc Mason, Deborah Sullivan, and Irene Chastain, and numerous beloved cousins, friends, and caretakers. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Association of People With Disabilities to honor his life of service.

No local services are scheduled.