George Truman Simpson

“A life well steered leaves a lasting wake.”

Memorial

George Truman Simpson, 61, a native San Diegan, retired Navy commander and city employee for 29 years, died Thursday, May 25, 1989, at Mercy Hospital in San Diego, California.
George retired in June 1988 as Director of Transportation for the City of San Diego, and also served as Director of Community Development and Assistant Director of Engineering and Development. During his career, he worked on numerous major civic projects, including the renovation of City College, Horton Plaza, Market Street Development, the Model Cities Program, Linda Vista Development and Housing and Urban Renewal Grants. His final project was the San Diego River Improvement Program, underway in Mission Valley at the time of his death. Following his retirement from the city, he established his own consulting business, Infrastructure and Finance.
Friends, family and colleagues remembered George not only for his public service, but for his warmth, humor and steady common sense. Known as “Simp” during his days as quarterback at Grossmont High School in La Mesa, he remained throughout his life a natural leader and the center of countless gatherings and celebrations. He had a natural ability to bring people together, to make others feel welcome, and to offer practical advice delivered with humor and confidence. Whether among lifelong friends, fellow Navy officers, coworkers or family, George was regarded as a dependable anchor and a loyal friend whose presence filled a room.
George graduated from Grossmont High School and attended San Diego State University, where he affiliated with Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He majored in Zoology with a minor in Economics, receiving his A.B. degree in February 1951. He later earned his master’s degree at UCLA.
On December 28, 1952, he married Mary Elaine Cox in San Diego, beginning a marriage that lasted 37 years. Shortly thereafter, he joined the United States Navy and attended Officers Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, earning his commission as an ensign in 1953. During the Korean War, he served as an engineering officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Boxer. After returning to San Diego, he joined the City of San Diego staff in 1959. George remained active in the Naval Reserve until his retirement in 1988 with the rank of Commander.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, George was active in numerous community projects and organizations and served on the board of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Mary Elaine; his children, Craig of New Hampshire, Caroline of Los Angeles, and Kathleen of La Mesa; and his father, William H. Simpson of Lakeside.
Services officiated by Rev. E. Rod Barr were to be held on Tuesday, May 30, 1989, at 1 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Mission Valley. Cremation was planned and interment was to take place at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma.
George will be remembered for his devotion to family, his decades of public service to the City of San Diego, and his remarkable ability to make friends wherever he went.
Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 2320 Fifth Ave., San Diego, CA 92110, or the American Cancer Society, 2251 San Diego Ave., Suite B-150, San Diego, CA 92110.

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