Bruce Michael Simpson, 66, Harrisonville, Missouri, died Monday, December 16, 2013 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. A memorial visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 18 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bright Futures Food-For-Thought Backpack Program.

Bruce was born February 8, 1947 in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Richard A. and Dorothy (Mattison) Simpson. Bruce grew up in Kansas City and was a graduate of Ruskin High School. He was a U. S. Navy veteran. He married Darra Mae Murray on March 1, 1985 at the old Truman Jackson County Courthouse in Independence, Missouri. He has lived in Harrisonville since 2007.


Bruce had worked as a meat cutter for Safeway for several years. He and his wife, Darra, opened Vue Flower Shop in Kansas City for 20 years. He then went to school and got his HVAC and worked for the Harrisonville Schools in the maintenance department, in charge of the heating and cooling systems. Bruce loved to fish and hunt and was a member of the Pioneer Gun Club in Kansas City. He was also on the B.A.S.S. Board of Directors for the State of Missouri.


He was preceded in death by his parents and one daughter, Kathryn Simpson. He is survived by his wife, Darra, of the home; stepson, Brian L. McLain, Princeton, Missouri; daughter, Theresa Starforth, Richmond, Missouri and stepdaughter, Rosemary Ketner, Blue Springs, Missouri; one brother, Richard Simpson, Jr. and wife, Randi, Lake Forest, California; one nephew, David Simpson of California; 2 grandchildren, Rebecca Starforth and Bradley Starforth.