JR Simpson
June 27, 1955-November 10, 2019
Last Sunday morning the Chicago Bluegrass community lost one of its most energetic, lovable and ardent members when JR Simpson died in a tragic accident. JR played guitar, bass and banjo and was one of the most active members of the Evanston music community.
He was a regular at the monthly Evanston Open Bluegrass Jam at American Legion Post 42, which will be re-named the JR Simpson Memorial Bluegrass Jam to honor his memory.
In addition to being a tireless jammer and supporter of Bluegrass music, JR was part of the Hastings Hot Band, an amateur group of ten musicians who regularly rehearse and perform Bluegrass music. One fellow band member described him as “the heart and soul of our group, and of all bluegrass on the North Shore.” He and his Wife Nina also hosted bluegrass concerts at their home underscoring just how instrumental they had both become in growing and supporting the bluegrass community on the North Shore.
The following is his obituary from the Chicago Tribune:
Junior “JR” Alan Simpson passed away suddenly in an accident on the morning of Sunday, November 10 while working on his home in Highland Park, IL. JR was born on June 27, 1955 in Savannah, IL to Kenneth Blair and Leola Alicia Simpson and raised in Mount Carroll, IL. JR and Nina Nabor married August 16, 1980, together they raised five children and spent 39 years by each others’ sides. JR worked as a carpenter and operated his own general contracting business. He was a black belt in traditional karate-do, a lover and performer of all types of music, particularly bluegrass, and a devoted fan to his beloved Cubbies and Bears. JR valued nothing more than time spent with his family. Preceded in death by his mother and eldest brother Kenneth Russell, JR is survived by his father, his wife Nina and their five children: Dylan, Lucas, Cali, Tessa, and Shane and their respective partners Amy, Monte, Scott, and Josh; three grandsons: Cooper, Riley, and Bodhi; siblings Bonnie and Bob Donnell, Sue, Glen and Linda Simpson, and Kevin; and his in-laws Nancy and Paul Nabor. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in JR’s name to https://www.bravowaukegan.org/
On November 15, more than 300 people jammed into the American Legion Post 42 in Evanston to attend A Celebration of Life for JR. The occasion was marked by soulful speeches of love and appreciation by family and friends for a man whose infectious spirit was cherished by all; a special concert and jam session followed, featuring some of his favorite bluegrass songs, of which there were many.
His smile and laugh were infectious and the enthusiasm he brought to everything he did including playing bluegrass and folk music rubbed off on everyone around him. He inspired others to get involved in playing and becoming part of the bluegrass community and helped make it a place that people felt welcome and warm. It will never be the same without him. Never. But his memory will live on in our hearts and our songs and are gathering together to share in the joy of playing bluegrass together. If we’re lucky we can all carry at least a little bit of his warmth, joy and kindness to our fellow community members.