James M. Simpson, 67, a 12-year resident of Oak Harbor, died at his home on Sept. 11, 2005, following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Mr. Simpson was born on June 11, 1938, in Lakehurst, N.J., to Martin E. Simpson and Cecil (Miller) Simpson. He moved with his family to a number of Navy duty stations, and spent his junior high years in Oak Harbor. Following high school graduation in Hawaii, Jim attended Oregon State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fisheries. He became a National Park Ranger for the National Park Service. His posts included Glacier N.P., Virgin Islands N.P., Great Smokey Mountains N.P., various historical sites in Washington, D.C., Grand Canyon N.P. and his longest post (16 years) at Ozark Scenic Riverways N.P.

Jim was married to Joan Thompson on June 25, 1994 in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Following his retirement from the National Park Service, the couple moved to Oak Harbor in 1994. He was a volunteer for WAIF and a Beach Watcher for Island County. Jim was a portrait artist and enjoyed multiple hobbies.

Jim is survived by his wife Joan, at home in Oak Harbor; his mother, Cecil “Sally” Simpson of Oak Harbor; his sister, Lorraine Pratt and husband Frank of Oak Harbor; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Janet and Manuel Benavides of Wentzville, Mo.; three nieces, Aimee Bourque of Bozeman, Mont., Monique Bourque and husband Tom and children Juliana and Ben of Salem, Ore. and Nancy Koch and children Morgan and Dalton of St. Charles, Mo.; two nephews, Martin Bourque and wife Emily of Bozeman and Tom Creighton and wife Annette and children Tom and Billy of Seattle.

A private family gathering will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to WAIF, P.O. Box 1108, Coupeville, WA 98239.