Elmer Murdock Simpson

“No parent should have to bury their child” is a painful expression but all too true for Samuel and Ella Simpson. They had to do it three times for their three boys. That’s why the sons are listed at the top of this family headstone, followed by their parents and their mother’s brother, Howard Lott.

The first son shared his father’s name but died at age 4 from convulsions due to gastroenteritis. Burton was born In early 1917 but developed endocarditis, a bacterial infection of the heart’s inner lining. That’s what stopped his heart when he was just 10 years old. 

Seven weeks after they buried Samuel they welcomed another boy and named him Elmer. Their only daughter, Eleanor was born in 1920. Samuel’s entire career was in the grocery business, first in retail then becoming a foreman in a warehouse owned by American Stores, the forerunner of today’s Acme Markets. 

Elmer and Eleanor attended West Philadelphia High School but neither one graduated. In the last half of the Depression, Elmer worked as a clerk at the same warehouse where his father and uncle both worked.

As he was required to do, Elmer registered for the draft in 1940. On August 22, 1941 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, which became part of the new Army Air Forces in 1942. He became a mechanic, then went to the Air Corps school. He earned his commission as a bombardier and served in the 357th Bomb Squadron.

On September 30, 1943 Elmer was in a 4-engine bomber while on a regular training flight. The plane crashed five miles south of Clovis Army Air Base in New Mexico. Seven crew members were injured and two were killed in the accident, including Elmer.  

For the third time, the Simpsons laid a child to rest, assured that he, like his brothers, was “safe in the arms of Jesus.”