Read Richard "Dick" Gage Simpson's Obituary & Leave Condolences

In memory of

Richard "Dick" Gage Simpson

Oceanside, CA, USA

April 25, 1943 - May 3, 2021

Apr 25, 1943 - May 3, 2021

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Richard Gage Simpson went home to the loving arms of our Lord and Savior on May 3rd at age 78. He took his last breath peacefully at home with his bride by his side.

Richard was born to James Gilbert Simpson and Dorothy Jane Simpson on April 25, 1943 in Indianapolis, Indiana. At the age of 4 they moved to California and arrived in the city of San Diego, traveling by train.

Richard was an entrepreneur from the beginning at the age of 9. He started mowing lawns to help his family. At age 14 he started working at the car wash. His job was to drive the cars from the wash to the dry area. They just assumed he was 16 and had a driver’s license because he was so tall and mature.

He soon had bigger plans and had his heart set on starting to work at the Kinney shoe store located across the street from the car wash. He would stop into the store frequently asking for employment until they had to hire him. You had to bet the ladies loved his kind smile and service.

Richard graduated from Kearney High School (San Diego) in 1961. He did enjoy some bowling, but more than anything he was determined to work hard and accomplish the big dreams he had for his future!
Right after graduation he packed up and moved to City of Anaheim to work at the Kinney shoe store there. Soon after he was promoted to Manager, but with that promotion came a move to Tucson, Arizona. The area temperatures proved to be too much for him (and God had bigger plans). So, he moved back to Orange, CA and started stacking roofs on construction jobs in Fashion Island.

He worked construction 10 years before he got his Contractors license on March 8, 1972. He then started R.G. Simpson Construction. His first contract was a condo for a John Mitchel in Corona Del Mar. He framed several condos & homes there and in the Newport Beach Area. In 1981, he started doing commercial framing in Orange & Los Angeles Counties. His success came from his heart for his work, but the real success was his love for his people. He loved his employees like a family. His largest job and greatest framing accomplishments was the Manhattan Beach Studios in 1998 and then the Studios of Los Angeles followed.

Richard met his wife, Michelle in 1978 at the Gatsby Disco Club in Costa Mesa (later to gain the nickname Disco Dick). Michelle still tells the story about when he was just standing next to her at the club and they started to talk. They both felt they needed to know each other’s age first thing and of course found each other to be telling the truth. They admitted they didn’t know how to disco dance, so spent the next three hours talking. They were married on August 4, 1979 at St. Paul’s Church of Orange. Their love story truly is one you would only hear about in fairy tales. They were a close couple working hard side by side for the success of R.G. Simpson Construction, while raising their children and using their gifts the best they could to serve the Lord.

Richard taught his family and everyone he encountered about the power of “play.” He loved people and he was always energized by being with family and friends. One of his many loves was countless trips to a family condo in Bullhead City, Arizona to enjoy his ski boat, jet ski and an occasional round of blackjack across the river in Laughlin.
God truly broke the mold when he made Richard. He was a devoted man of God, a dedicated family man, a Father of 4 (Kelly, Rich, Michelle and Vanessa) with 12 grandchildren. He was a great friend, kind, loving, with such a high level of integrity and the perfect sense of humor. He could fill a room with his presence. His smile and laughter were contagious. We will always remember his famous Dick Simpson line. “You know what they say…”
After 40 years in business Richard and Michelle retired on December 31, 2012. Their dream to travel was then realized with trips spanning across the entire United States in their comfortable motor coach with friends and family joining them along the way. Their passion for each other and for truly living life wasn’t stopped even when cancer stood in their way.

Even during his fight with cancer Richard remained optimistic. He was always ready for the next round, the next fight until it became too much for his earthly body. His grand finale event was his 78th birthday party. It was an incredible day because he now shared it with his two youngest identical twin grandsons (August and Ellis) who happened to be born 6 weeks early on his 77th birthday, April 25, 2020. All the family present that day will never forget what a blessing it was to see him have so much joy even in his weakened state.

Through it all his faith in our Lord was unwavering. He knew his maker and was a truly dedicated Man of God. Richard now joins his Mother, Father, Brother and many other family members and friends in Heaven.

“But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31

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