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Funeral home:
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader, Lincoln
Obituary
Kerry Shawn Simpson passed away on
Thursday, June 25, 2020 at the age of 72. Born on
September 15, 1947, in Lincoln, to Harold and
Jacqueline (Moriearty) Simpson, Shawn grew up in the
bosom of an enormous extended family in a town in
which there was, according to his father, “a
Moriearty on every street corner.” He was indeed
fortunate to have spent his formative years in
Lincoln surrounded by a loving, supportive network
of individuals who nurtured his varied interests and
innate intellectual curiosity.
After serving his country in the U.S. Army, Shawn
became a trusted and highly capable production
specialist who worked for major glass manufacturers
in the United States and Canada, including Obear-Nester,
Dominion, Anchor-Hocking, Kerr, and Ball-Incon.
While bottle making paid the bills, drag racing was
THE reason Shawn got out of bed in the morning.
Though the use of “six pack technology” applied in
various backyard garages throughout Illinois, he
transformed the rusted frame of a 1933 Ford Coupe
into a dragster that earned high praise at nostalgia
races across the country and was featured in several
national publications. Driven by friend David
Shaffer, the 334 Coupe was a copper-colored,
blue-flamed demon that ran a 7.70 ¼ mile at 172
m.p.h. Those who knew Shawn well know his happiest
moments were spent bathed in burnout smoke on a hot
drag strip as the concussive roaring of nitro
engines thumped in his chest.
NCAA basketball came in a close second to drag
racing in Shawn’s hierarchy of interests. Once a
formidable player in his own right, it should be
noted he possessed a fade-away jump shot that was
nearly undefendable given the height of its release
point and the insane amount of follow-through and
spin he put on the ball. |
Shawn’s circle was small but tight
and included friendships remarkable for their
loyalty, affection, and longevity. Cousin Scott
Moriearty was his earliest companion and remained a
beloved brother figure throughout his life. Phil
Martin, Mike Edwards, Jerome Vlahovich, and the late
Jake Moore and Jim Poole comprised the core group of
men with whom he was fortunate to have shared a
lifetime of interests and experiences.
Shawn is survived by his mother Jacqueline, sister
Gay (David) Boward, former wife Cheryl Miles, all of
Lincoln, daughter Shelley (Geoff) Cooker of Shabbona,
son Stephen Simpson of Normal, and son Christian
(Julie) Culleton of Lake Barrington, as well as
granddaughter Lucile Johnson of Preston, Iowa,
grandson Riley Johnson of Lee, and grandsons Ian and
Rory Culleton of Lake Barrington. Shawn enjoyed a
friendship with his former son-in-law Mark Johnson
as well. He was preceded in death by his father
Harold, grandsons Reid and Nolan Johnson, and many
more beloved family members.
In keeping with the way he lived his life and in
accordance with his wishes, there will be no
services.
Click here to send a note of condolence to the family of Kerry
Shawn Simpson
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