— with John and Chris Simpson

— with John and Evelyn Simpson

John and Plymae Lewis

Candice and I have been best friends for as long as I can remember. We met in kindergarten and were inseparable through to the second grade. But in third grade, Candice and her mother moved away, and we lost touch for several years. The silence between us was something I could never forget.

Then, one day when I was in eighth grade, I was at my grandmother’s house. John, a longtime friend of my uncle Keith, came to visit, and it was in that moment that I rushed to ask him: “Do you know where Candice is? Is there any way I can get in touch with her?” Without hesitation, John gave me her number.

Back then, long-distance calls weren’t cheap, so I turned to my mom for permission. She could see how much I missed my friend and she said yes. That night, I picked up the phone, and as soon as Candice answered, it was as if no time had passed at all. We spoke for nearly five hours, laughing, reminiscing about our childhood adventures, and sharing everything that had happened in the years we’d been apart.

That phone call was more than just a conversation—it was a reconnection of souls that had always been meant to find their way back to each other. I will forever be grateful to John for being the bridge that brought us together again. Since that night, Candice and I have never lost touch, and our friendship has only grown deeper with time.

The Simpson Family will forever hold a special place in my heart. 

#extendedfamilyforever<3

John was always Mr. Cool. I fondly remember him driving cool cars and listening to great music. When I got older, I realized that John was athletic as well. He loved to play tennis, baseball, golf, and basketball "Hoop". After work, it would not be unusual to find him working on his golf game or hitting a few balls at the batting cages. He was always active! He also loved to go to Monterey and Carmel coast to relax. Over time, I also learned that he was brilliant. His IQ was a few points away from genius, but John never bragged about his abilities; he enjoyed down-to-earth people and good conversation. He also enjoyed dipping into my mother's pots before the food was ready; my mom would shake her head and smile. I will miss our conversations; I love you, until we see each other again, brother!