Goldwyn Dewayne Simpson
1941-2024
Goldwyn Dewayne Simpson, known simply as Dewayne, passed away peacefully on August 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City, OK, at the age of 82. Born on September 15, 1941, in Cordell, OK, Dewayne was the eldest child of Murvel and Golda Faye Simpson. After the passing of his mother, his father remarried, and Dewayne gained a loving stepmother, Mary Simpson. Dewayne was a beloved brother to Terry Simpson and his wife Kay and Diane Johnson and her husband Jimmy.
Dewayne married the love of his life, Ruth Harwart, on December 12, 1964. Together, they raised three sons, David, Michael, and Stephen, and an adopted son, Bryant. Dewayne was a proud and loving father-in-law to Stormy, Yvette, Carina, and Michelle and grandfather to his nine grandchildren. He cherished the strong Christian values and close-knit family that he and Ruth nurtured.
Dewayne is a man who loved Jesus and he shared that with others. His tender, loving, and caring nature touched everyone who knew him. Dewayne was not just a man of faith; he lived his faith daily, always ready to lend a hand, offer a word of encouragement, or share his love with those around him.
Dewayne spent the majority of his career in the insurance industry, retiring from Aflac in 2006. In 2019, he embarked on a new venture with his son Michael, co-founding OneSource Pipe & Equipment, where his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication were evident.
Outside of his professional life, Dewayne was a man of many talents and passions. He was an accomplished woodworker, creating countless items from wooden crosses to picture frames, many of which were shared with his church community at New Covenant Church. He was also an avid photographer, capturing the beauty of the world and the joy of his family’s special moments. Dewayne loved to fish, especially when accompanied by his beloved grandchildren.
A friend once said of Dewayne, “We are blessed. We had a man in our life to teach us, to be an example, to be imperfect, but to be an example. We got blessed, and that is what we should be grateful for and what we should celebrate.” This reflection perfectly captures the essence of the man Dewayne was and the legacy he leaves behind.
A celebration of Dewayne’s life will be held 11:00 am Friday, September 6th, at New Covenant Church. His family invites all who knew him to join in remembering a life well-lived, a man deeply loved, and a legacy that will continue through the lives he touched.
My uncle Dewayne always had a big smile on his face 😀.Many great memories of him having fun with the family. Heaven has another beautiful person . He will be truly missed by many near and far…
God bless us all 🙏
So cherish all our memories of growing up with Uncle Dewayne. All the trips to the lake and fun times at Papa Murvle’s and Grandma Mary’s. Such wonderful memories! Love you all!
My sincere condolences to the Simpson family. I did not know Dewayne personally, but had a strong sense of who he was through the many stories and examples of integrity and leadership Michael would share about his father, which in turn had an affect on my own character. Great man. Sorry for your loss.
Where do I start? Uncle Dewayne got me started in the insurance world, where I was surrounded and nurtured by so many family members. When things were hard, he would always tell me, ” Do your best and that is all you can do.” He built so many wooden crosses to share with others. I keep one in my office, car and at home. So thankful for all the lake trip and holidays with family. Uncle Dewayne will be missed. Love you all.
Dewayne was always in teaching mode. He always had a project going. He and Ruth were/are my best friends. I feel that they helped make me who I am today. Dewayne was always there to love on my boys. I remember being told that he slept outside in a tent so that he could capture pictures of birds and he loved taking pictures. I also have a cross that he made out of cedar tree that fell during a storm. I cherish it. Good bye dear friend…until we meet again. Hugs
It”s almost 30 years ago since I met Dewayne at a family meeting in October 1994 – bringing together Ruth and her German family. Since then he was a light in my life. I’m very thankful to have known him and to have spent time with Ruth, Dewayne and the Simpson family. There are so so many good memories…
I remember very vividly the big smile Dewayne would often share and I found some lines I want to share with everyone who is in need of a smile in times of grief and sadness:
A SMILE COSTS NOTHING,
but gives much.
It enriches those who receive,
without making poorer those who give.
It takes but a moment,
but the memory of it sometimes last forever.
None is so rich or mighty that he can get along without it,
and none is so poor but that he can be made rich by it.
A smile creates happiness in the home,
fosters goodwill in business, and is the countersign of friendship.
It brings rest to the weary, cheer to the discouraged,
sunshine to the sad and it is nature’s best antidote for trouble.
Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or stolen,
for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away.
Some people are too tired to give you a smile.
Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile as much as he who has no more to give.
Thank you for every smile you gave and for so much more.
Much love, sympathy and sincere condolences to the Simpsons. Much love.
Dewayne has a place in the heart of the German family and especially in mine.
Big hugs and all the best, Dewayne will be truly missed.