James William Sympson

James William Jimmy Sympson, Sr., 87, of 807 East Glenn Court, Owensboro, died Tuesday, June 7, 2005 at Owensboro Medical Health System. He was born June 7, 1918 to the late Jess Hardy and Bertha Golladay Sympson in Grayson County. He was a member of the Church of Christ and was owner of Sympson Construction Service. Jimmy became a devoted Free Mason at the age of 21, been raised and educated at the Masonic Home in Louisville, KY. Jimmy was always active in Masons, Scottish Rites and Shrine organizations. He was Past Master of Owensboro Lodge F&AM #130, Past Master of Monserat Lodge F&AM #379 and Past President of Owensboro Scottish Rite Club, Past Master of Kadosh Madisonville AASRA and Past District Deputy Grand Master of Western Kentucky. As a Shriner, Jimmy logged more than 50,000 miles transporting children to Shrine Hospitals in five states. For his efforts, he achieved status of a 33 Mason. He was a member of Rizpah Temple in Madisonville, had a lifetime membership in George Washington Masonic Memorial Association in Alexander, VA, was also a honorary member of Ft. Myers Scottish Rite Consistory.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha S. Sympson, who died March 22, 2004, and his daughter-in-law, LaDonna Sympson, who died October 1, 2004, and one brother and three sisters.

Survivors include two sons, James Sympson, Jr. of Hartford and Johnny Sympson of Owensboro; one daughter, Sherrie Sympson Wemes and (Billy) of Owensboro; four grandchildren, Gregg M. Wemes, Joy Lynne Wemes, Kelly Sympson Casteel and her husband, John, Brittany C. Sympson; three great grandchildren, Jasmine L. James, Jordan E. James and Cody James Casteel; one sister, Virgie Davidson of Neosho, MO; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 1:00 PM Saturday, at Glenn Funeral Home with burial in Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation will be 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM Saturday. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 1900 Richmond Road, Lexington, KY, 40502.