Ronald West Simpson

Ronald West Simpson, 83, of Orem, passed away on Sunday, July 30, 2023. He was born July 1, 1940, in Seattle, Washington, to Charles Jerry Simpson and Venice West Simpson. He married Marja-Liisa (Maisa) Tuominen on August 28, 1965, in the Oakland LDS Temple.

Ron grew up in Palo Alto, California, but spent the bulk of his professional life in Utah as a musician, band leader, composer, arranger, recording studio owner, record producer, author, music publisher, owner of Sound Column Companies, and radio host (“Meet the Music” on KUTR). As a faculty member at BYU, he founded their Media Music program (now known as Commercial Music), mentored countless students, taught songwriting and music theory, served as the general manager for Tantara Records, and also hosted “The Tantara Hour” on BYU Radio. He worked and toured the world with BYU’s Lamanite Generation (now known as Living Legends) and the Young Ambassadors.

He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served as a bishop, bishop’s counselor, high priest group leader, elders quorum teacher, high councilor, Sunday school teacher, and choir director. He served as a missionary in the Helsinki Finland Mission from 1961 to 1964.

Ron is survived by his wife Maisa and his brother Rik Simpson. He is also survived by his daughter Kristen (Mark) Evans of Stockholm, Sweden; his son Kim Simpson of Austin, Texas; and his son Kendall (Erlynne) Simpson of Mapleton, Utah. A total of 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren called him “Pappa” during his lifetime.

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