Thomas Simpkins Jr.
Thomas “Tom Dog” Simpkins Jr., 47, of Carmichaels, died at 9:08 a.m. Wednesday, December 26, 2012, in Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown, W.Va., after a six-month battle with cancer.
He was born December 16, 1965, in Morgantown, W.Va., a son of Celesta I. McCune Hegedis, with whom he made his home in Carmichaels, and the late Thomas William Simpkins.
Mr. Simpkins was a 1984 graduate of Carmichaels Area High School and, in his youth, attended Greene Valley Presbyterian Church, where he enjoyed playing softball.
He worked as a deckhand for Mon River Towing and Tri River Towing on the Monongahela and Ohio rivers. Mr. Simpkins was last employed as a Subaru mechanic at Bortz Chevrolet Subaru.
He was a member of Crucible Citizen’s Club and a social member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3491 in Carmichaels and American Legion Post 816 in Rices Landing.
Mr. Simpkins enjoyed fishing and NASCAR and was a great fan of the West Virginia University football team.
Surviving are two sons, Joshua L. Hegedis, at home, and Thomas W. Simpkins III of Nemacolin; three daughters, Ashley N. Simpkins of Crucible, Leslie G. Simpkins, at home, and Haley D. Simpkins of Nemacolin. He cherished being “Poppy” to his four grandchildren, John, Xavier, Conner and Jaz-myn. Also surviving are a brother, Michael L. Simpkins of Morgantown, W.Va.; three sisters, Pam K. Gamble and husband Daniel of Route 13, Morgantown, Celesta A. Hixenbaugh and husband Brandon of Carmichaels and Tommi L. Livingston and husband Scott of Martinsburg, W.Va.; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased is his stepfather, Stephen Edward Hegedis.
Family and friends are welcome from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday in Yoskovich Funeral Home, 724-966-5500, Martin J. Yoskovich, funeral director, 300 South Vine Street (Route 88), Carmichaels, where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 29, the Rev. Harold O. Kelley will officiate. For additional information and to sign a guest book, please visit www.YoskovichFH.com.