Michael Douglas Simpkins
54, passed away on Sunday, February 24, 2013 at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center in Fort Walton Beach, FL. Mike was born in Pensacola, FL on June 16, 1958. He grew up in southwest Iowa and following his graduation from Griswold High School in 1977, Mike had the honor to be a page in the Iowa Legislature. He then attended Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, IA earning an LPN Nursing Diploma. In 1981 he was injured in a diving accident in Omaha, NE that left him a quadriplegic. Mike moved to Tucson in 1984 and went on to earn a double Master's Degree in Vocational Counseling & Rehabilitation Training from the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ. Mike was a Vocational and Rehabilitation Counselor for the State of Arizona. In 1990 Michael was awarded the Iowa's Vocation Rehabilitation person of the year for his extraordinary achievements. Mike loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was still active in target shooting rifles even after his accident and loved to go shooting with his brothers and nephews. Mike is survived by his mother and stepfather, Judith and Larry Turner of Elliott, IA; sister, Jan McDonald of Niceville, FL; sister-in-law, Susan Simpkins of Miami, FL; sister-in-law, Julie Turner of Omaha, NE; brother, James Turner and wife Julie of Adel, IA; sister, Elizabeth Lemelin and husband David, of North Pole, AK; brother, Philip Turner and wife Becky of Columbus, NE; brother, Nicholas Turner and wife Kimberly of Stafford, VA; and 13 nieces and nephews, two great nieces and one great nephew plus many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by brother, Tim Turner of Omaha, NE, brother-in-law, Tim McDonald of Niceville, FL, nephew, Peter Simpkins of Miami, FL, grandparents, Clesson and Louie Simpkins, Margaret and Lohrman Egge and Sandra Simpkins. Memorial service will be held at the Elliott Church of Christ, Elliott, IA. March 9, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. NELSON - BOYLAN - LERETTE FUNERAL HOME in Red Oak, IA is entrusted with arrangements.
Please Wait…