Joseph E. Simpson, Jr., 95, passed away on April 26, 2011, at Manor Care Health Services. Joe was born December 26, 1915, to Joseph E. and Elizabeth Simpson in Kansas City, KS. He proudly earned his Eagle Scout badge at age 15 and spent most of his life in the Kansas City area, retiring to Hermitage, MO, in 1978, and moving to Springfield in 1984. Joe married Dola Nelson on December 26, 1941, enlisted in the U.S. Army, and served his country in the European Theater during World War II, climbing to the rank of Major. He told of standing in England on D-Day and seeing the sky full of planes. His engineer unit built the runways from which some of those planes took off and landed. From 1946 to 1978, he worked for Standard Oil Company and its subsidiaries, earning numerous recognitions for outstanding service. Joe was a devoted husband to his loving wife. Everyone knew them as "G. I. Joe and Dola." After she developed dementia in 1995, he spent 12 years caring for her despite the frailties of his age. A kind person who interviewed him for the Veterans History Project wrote: "His war story was remarkable, but even more remarkable was how he so lovingly cared for Dola. I saw him at that time as all that was good in a man and a husband." He was also a great dad and a role model for his grandsons, of whom he was so very proud. "G.I. Joe and Dola" exemplified the values of a generation that helped to make our country great. Joe is survived by his son, Don, and his wife Olivia; grandson Matthew and his wife, Teresa; and grandson Bryan. He was a member of Brentwood Christian Church. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 16, at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Joseph E. Simpson Memorial Fund to support veterans at Missouri State University either at www.missouristatefoundation.org or by mail to: MSU Foundation, 300 S. Jefferson Ave., Suite 100, Springfield. MO 65806.