Harry Durrett Simpson Jr., 90, of Hayes, Virginia, formerly of Newport News, departed his earthly home and entered the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, September 17, 2026. Surrounded by his children, Dad peacefully passed away following a brief illness.

Early Life and Education: Harry was born on October 10, 1935 in Elkins, West Virginia, to Harry Simpson Sr. and Virginia Simpson Cooper. His mother later moved with him and his sister to Newport News where he grew up filling his days with football, basketball, and many activities at the Peninsula Boys Club. He graduated as class president and a true leader from Newport News High School in 1954. While pursuing his bachelor’s degree at Randolph-Macon College, Harry married his high school sweetheart, Harriet Corson, beginning a marriage that would span nearly 64 wonderful years.

Harry earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Medical College of Virginia (now VCU) in 1961 and began his dental practice in Newport News. He devoted 39 years to caring for his patients and continued his commitment to the dental profession through counseling, recovery assistance and supporting dentists with dependency illnesses.

Career and Achievements: Throughout his distinguished career, Harry received numerous honors, including the American Dental Association Dentist Well Being Advisory Committee, the Pierre Fauchard Academy Citation, American College of Dentistry Fellowship, the Virginia Dental Association Distinguished Dentist Award and the University of Utah School of Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies Alumni of the Year Award.

A Lifetime of Giving Back: Harry’s heart for young people and his community was evident throughout his life. From childhood, he was a devoted supporter of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula (BAGC). He was the second boy to sign up when the Newport News Boys Club began, later serving as Board President and Treasurer. He received the Boys and Girls Clubs of America Medallion Award in 1999 and the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024.

Harry was the longest-serving board member, dedicating nearly 60 years to the organization. He also helped facilitate the establishment of the BAGC Gloucester Unit, whose building bears his name—The Harry D. Simpson Youth Center—and he established a shirt fund to ensure that every child and staff member of that club was provided with new t-shirts bearing the B&G Club logo.

Harry loved his community and his church. He was a longtime member of Northside Christian Church where he previously served as a deacon, participated in the Praymates Bible School class, Senior Ministry trips and monthly luncheons. He also had served as president of the board for Northside Christian School. Highlighting his involvement and love for his community, Harry was selected as Gloucester Citizen’s Christmas and Holiday Parade Grand Marshal (2011).

And, in true Harry fashion, he had a favorite breakfast restaurant for nearly every day of the week where he met up with dear friends to get updates and share stories.

Family Was His Greatest Joy: For Harry, however, serving family and God were always most important in his life. During nearly 64 years of marriage to Harriet, they were blessed with four children, 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Affectionately known as PawPaw, Harry loved church activities, watching sports, participating in his weekly family Zoom calls, and most of all, spending time with his family. He and MawMaw traveled throughout the country to support their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren at countless performances, school functions, sporting events, graduations and weddings.

Harry is survived by his daughters, Debbie Legg and Diane Curfman (Greg), and his sons, Doug Simpson (Mary) and Dean Simpson (Shannon).

He is also survived by his grandchildren: Jerry Legg (Katey), Joey Legg (Sarah), Josh Legg (Casey), Casey Simpson-Hasey (Dave), Clay Simpson (Erica), Paige Mesco (Kyle), Elizabeth Major (Nick), Katie Gardiner (Ryan), Steven Curfman (Kayla), Christopher Curfman (Alexandria), Jason Curfman (Danielle), Jesse Simpson, Ashlee Hellman (Austin), and Will Simpson; as well as his 21 great-grandchildren: Taryn Legg, Landon Legg, Tolson Legg, Van Legg, Caelyn Hasey, Brooks Kahn, Palmer Kahn, Cali Simpson, Chloe Simpson, Karsyn Mesco, Liam Gardiner, Tucker Gardiner, Jackson Curfman, Amelia Curfman, Owen Curfman, Addie Curfman, Caleb Curfman, Joy Curfman, Daphne Hellman, Ophie Hellman, and Iris Hellman.

He is also survived by his sister, Carolyn Simpson Knight; sister-in-law, Terry Cooper; brother-in-law, Raymond “Butch” Corson; sister-in-law, Cindy Corson; and numerous extended family members.

Harry was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Harriet Corson Simpson; brother, Gordon Cooper; his father, Harry Simpson Sr.; mother, Virginia Cooper; stepfather, John Cooper, and stepsisters, Duska Bailey and JoAnn Atkinson.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Dr. Ronald Haggerty, Riverside Walter Reed Hospital & Hospice and Sanders Rehab for the loving care, support, and assistance they provided to Harry and his family.

A Celebration of Life honoring Harry—Dad, PawPaw, and Doc—will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Northside Christian Church in Yorktown, Virginia, with a reception immediately following.

Interment will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Virginia Peninsula Boys and Girls Club, Gloucester Unit, Attn: Harry’s Shirt Fund or Northside Christian Church.

Harry leaves behind a lifetime of love, faith, friendship, service, laughter, and memories. His greatest legacy is not only found in the many lives he touched through his profession and community service, but in the family he loved so deeply and supported so faithfully.

He was Dad. He was PawPaw. He was Doc. And to all who knew him, he was simply Harry—someone who made the world a little better by being in it.