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Longtime Tonkawa resident Roy Dean "PG" Simpson passed away Thursday, August 1, 2019, at the age of 82.
On March 24, 1937, Alfred Simpson and Gladys Koch Simpson welcomed their second son, Roy Dean, into the world at the family home at 108 North Second Street in Tonkawa, Oklahoma. Soon Roy and his big brother, Dale, became the best of running buddies. When the two were in elementary school, Dale allowed Roy to tag along to a Cub Scout meeting. Scouts were instructed to bring something to carve for the activity. The entire troop brought pieces of wood, not Roy. he brought a bar of P&G Soap. Needless to say he encountered a great deal of harassment, but left the meeting with a newly acquired name that would stick with him throughout his life “PG”. PG and Dale later became big brothers and protectors of their little sister, Mina.
PG was a 1955 graduate of Tonkawa High School, were he excelled in athletics, particularly football as he played on the 1952 and 1953 Oklahoma High School State Championship football teams. He went on to play college ball at Northern Oklahoma College. PG soon fell in love with a cute little Buccaneer cheerleader, Mary Louise McIlvain, and made her his wife on October 5, 1957, at the Presbyterian Church of Tonkawa. PG and Mary proudly raised four children Kyle, Sundy, Shaye and Shelly.
In the early years, PG provided for his family by serving the cities of Tonkawa, Arkansas City, and Oklahoma City as the Director of the Chamber of Commerce. Later, he began his career as manager at OTASCO stores in Oklahoma City, Wichita, Ponca City and Blackwell before his promotion to district manager. His children recall more than one Christmas Eve when their dad would be called back to the store to fetch a layaway so kids could have gifts on Christmas morning. One year, a customer called and had been robbed of Christmas gifts. PG loaded Mary and the kids up in the car and off to the store they went. The Simpson family put together a Christmas like none other for kids who were likely to go without. After OTASCO closed the doors, PG and Mary took on a new venture, purchasing Lunch N Munch in Tonkawa. Together they ran the fast food restaurant serving up delicious burgers and fries. They enjoyed the friendships they gained throughout their ownership. Upon retirement, PG found joy in driving just to drive. With age, he drove slower and slower causing many folks to be late for appointments and school. At Tonkawa High School, the only excused tardy was for students to say they got “PGed”.
PG was preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Gladys Simpson, his wife, Mary, daughter, Sundy Plagmann, and brother Dale.
He is survived by his son, Kyle and wife Lori Simpson of Tonkawa, daughter Shaye and husband Troy Ross of Moore, and daughter Shelly London of Tonkawa and sister Mina Legg of Tonkawa. Also, grandchildren, Jenna Looper, Kolby Simpson, Jessica Fisher, Traye Ross, Jeremy Love, Karlie Sparks, Mitchell Plagmann, Jordan Love, Tye Ross, Kramer Simpson, and Jake Love and 15 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 5, 2019, at 10:00 am at the First United Methodist Church of Tonkawa. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in PG’s memory to the Tonkawa Alumni Scholarship Fund at PO Box 12, Tonkawa, Oklahoma, 74653
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