Von Rudolph Simpson
Von Rudolph Simpson, 86, of Hixson passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 in the care of a local memory care facility.
Von was a Naval veteran, and a life-long entrepreneur in the real estate, insurance, and material handling industries. Outside of a brief stint in the military, Von was a devoted Tennessean having lived in Waverly, Norris, Knoxville, and Chattanooga. He attended church and educated his children at the Cathedral of Sacred Heart in Knoxville, then moved to Chattanooga in 1975 to attend St. Jude Parish in Hixson. Von was an avid golfer holding memberships at Dean Hill Country Club in Knoxville and Valleybrook Golf and Country Club in Chattanooga (Hixson). He was also a private pilot based out of Knoxville Downtown Island Airport where he was active in search and rescue flight operations as an officer in the Civil Air Patrol. Von very often exercised his wings to fly his young family to destinations all over the United States and the Bahamas. He could also be found on Norris Lake during summers where he often spent “staycations” at his family boathouse. He was particularly fond of wooden boats, having owned a couple different Century models. Von attended the Tennessee Military Institute where he played football and was a bugler. He also studied finance at the University of Tennessee.
The oldest of 12, Von was preceded in death by his brother Bill (Teri) Simpson; Linda and brother-in-law Mike Sample; his parents Don Carlos and Rosa Mae Simpson, and adopted mother Edith May Simpson of McEwen and Norris, Tn.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Margaret Cagney of Dublin Ireland; children, Mark (Lois) Simpson, Chattanooga, Yvonne (Edward) Craig of Hixson, and David (Leza) Simpson of Signal Mountain; grandchildren, Lauren (David) Hall of Knoxville, Connor Simpson of Newcastle, WA, Kathleen (Adam) Martin of Madison, AL, Daniel Craig of Warner Robins, GA, Hannah Simpson, Brooklyn, NY, Lizzy Simpson, Nashville, TN; great grandchildren John David “Jack” Hall of Knoxville, TN and Ken Martin of Madison, AL; brothers and sisters Donna Broach of Florence, SC, Patsy Yarber of Clinton, TN, Dwight and Donna Simpson of Sevierville, TN, John and Marilu Simpson of Tucson, AZ, Joyce Simpson of Athens, TN, Rev. Dr. Don Carlos, Jr. and Diane Simpson of Chester, SC, James and Rikki Simpson of Taylorsville, GA, Rev. Charles and Lynn Simpson of Queens, NY, and Alberta and Rick Terwillger of Athens, TN.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Feb. 21, from 11 a.m.–12 p.m. at the funeral home.
Funeral services will begin at 12 p.m. in the North Chapel with Rev. Dr. Don Simpson officiating. Burial with Navy military honors will follow at 2 p.m. at Chattanooga National Cemetery, 1200 Bailey Ave. in Chattanooga.
In lieu of flowers donations, can be made in the name of Von R. Simpson at Hearth Hospice in Cleveland, The Chattanooga Alzheimer’s Association, or the Erlanger Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 5401 Hwy. 153, Hixson, Tn. 37343.