Mr. Lawrence E. Simpson Jr.

On Sunday, October 14, 2018, Lawrence E. (Bud) Simpson, Jr., died at the age of 96 while at his son’s house in Atlanta, GA. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 2:00 PM at Porterfield Memorial United Methodist Church. Visitation will be at the church immediately following the service. Rev. Robert Greene will officiate. Born on January 13, 1922 to Lawrence E. and Isabelle Simpson, Bud and his four siblings grew up in the small town of Brownsville, along banks of the Monongahela River, south of Pittsburgh, PA. People in Albany will remember him as “Bud the Trophy Man.” As the owner and operator of Albany Bowling Supplies, he was a familiar and friendly face to schools, churches, civic organizations, or any group needing plaques or trophies across South Georgia. With his partner, Gaines Bell, Leonard Gilberg and Frank Day, the store opened in 1961 and remained open at it’s final location on Highland Avenue until he retired in 2001. Bud was one of the many that found their way to Albany because of the Marine Corps Logistic Base. Ever the private man, most people new little or nothing about his military service. He joined the corps in 1940 and was stationed at the Marine Corps Barracks in Washington D.C. Every week as a member of the Precision Drill Team, he participated in the Marine Corps’ famous Sunset Parade. His next assignment was to accompany President Franklin Roosevelt to Warm Springs as a part of his guard. Leaving Washington, he trained further at Camp Lejeune, NC. There he became part of the Fourth Marine Division (the Fighting 4th) and was briefly stationed in Hawaii before boarding one of the ships that would take this and other divisions to fight in the Battle of Iwo Jima. As the war was ending, he returned stateside and rejoined his wife and daughter for several years before being sent back to the Pacific, this time, to Korea. Before retiring, Bud had earned then rank of Master Sergeant. While serving in active duty, Bud was part of a top ranked bowling team that traveled the southern states representing the Albany MCLB. It was this love of the game that prompted the creation of the bowling supply store after his military retirement. He later discovered that he had a passion for golf and was a member of the Radium Country Club and then Stonebridge Golf Club up until his death. Bud also loved music, especially jazz. He was fortunate to have seen many jazz legends in small venues in his early life and although not a true jazz fan, his wife did love to travel, especially with Bud, affording him the ability to see even more jazz legends on jazz cruises and jazz festivals around the world. Bud was quick to laugh and quick with a wisecrack. He was from a generation of men that demanded the best out of those around him, because he never gave anything less. He enjoyed sharing his home and his success with others. He was generous because “that’s just how you treat people.” Bud’s wife, Sadie, died May 6, 2017. October 21, 2018 would have been their 58th wedding anniversary. She remained the love of his life. He is survived by five children: Eleanor Banks of Albany, Phyllis Forest and her husband, David of Estero, FL, Steve Simpson and his wife, Debbie of Jupiter, FL, Piper Mohl and her husband, Robert of Locust Grove, GA, Lawrence E. (Larry) Simpson III and his wife, Brenda, of Atlanta, GA. His surviving grandchildren include: Judd Banks and his wife, Annie of Smyrna, Jon Forest and his wife, Katja of Estero, FL, Josh Forest and his wife, Kim of Bradenton, FL, Rebecca Tomer and her husband, J.T. of Naples, FL, Rachel Forest of Estero, FL, Laura Forest and her husband, Richard Bjorklund of Milford, CT, Steven and Jake Simpson of Jupiter, FL, Christopher Mohl and his wife, Gwen of Las Vegas, NV, Lauren Mohl of Albany, GA, Allyson Mohl of Gastonia, NC, Lawrence E. (Larry) Simpson IV, Madelaine Simpson and Will Simpson of Atlanta, GA. He has 9 great grandchildren as well. Those wishing to honor Bud with a donation to one of his favorite charities may wish to consider: The Anchorage of Albany, 162 Hampton Lane, Leesburg, GA 31763 or the Shriners Hospitals, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 or to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517. To share your thoughts with the Simpson family, you may visit our website at www.kimbrellstern.com.

Mr. Lawrence E. Simpson Jr.

January 13, 1922 - October 14, 2018