of Jackson, Michigan, formerly of Chelsea, age 87, passed quickly Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Henry Ford Hospital in Jackson, Michigan. He was born June 15, 1937, in Yreka, California, the son of Franklin Arnold and Grace Elizabeth (Paul) Simpson.
Jack moved to Whitmore Lake, from Oakland, California, when he was 9 years old. He attended high school in Ann Arbor, before joining the workforce. Jack worked many jobs, including Heydlauff Appliances and maintenance and repair work at Central Fiber in Chelsea, before moving east where he worked in Lake Placid. He then moved on to become Head Facilities Operator at Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont. Jack was a 32nd Degree Mason and Past Master. He belonged to the Rescue Lodge #772 in Crown Point, New York, and Mount Defiance Lodge #794 in Ticonderoga, NY. Jack loved to play cribbage and could often be seen playing at Seitz’s Tavern.Jack was married to Gwendolyn Lapan for 30 years, before she preceded him in death on January 15, 2000. He is survived by his daughters, Colleen (Dean) Thompson of Jackson, and Elizabeth (James) Fink of Ypsilanti; 10 grandchildren, Valisa (Marcus) Bristle, Jonathan Thompson, Elizabeth Fink, Andrew (Lauren) Fink, Samuel (Kelsey) Fink, James (Simon) Fink, Isaiah (Mercy) Fink, Phoebe (Dan) Ziegler, Lesleann Perry, and Nicole Perry; and many great-grandchildren. He will also be missed by his best friend, Orville. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his son, John Allen Collins; brother, Robert Anthony Simpson; and two granddaughters, Delyn and Celora Thompson.A private graveside service will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery in Chelsea. Memorial contributions may be made to Jack’s family. Arrangements were entrusted to Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea.
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