Albert "Chief" Simpson, 60, of Bayard entered enteral rest on Wednesday May 23, 2018 at his home after a battle with cancer.

He was born April 26, 1958 in Farmington, NM to Thomas and Jane Simpson.

He was a communicant of Santa Clara Parish and was a Cursillista.

Chief enjoyed camping with the family, hunting, the Kansas City Chiefs and mostly spending time with the family at cookouts and parties.

Chief started painting at a very young age. He and his two brothers learned the trade from his father and uncles who were all painters. Chief and his brother traveled all over painting. They did mostly commercial and industrial painting. In 1992 Chief came to work at the mine with Lamastus painting. He met and fell in love with Dora and they were married and bought their home in Bayard in 1995.

He started working for Mike Ritter, who taught him a lot about construction and residential painting.

In 2006 Chief started his own painting and handyman business. Chiefs painting was very successful for ten years until chief got sick and could no longer work.

Chief made many friends from the customers he had. He often sat and talked to the elderly he painted for. And sometimes he came back to make small repairs for them.

Chief talked to everyone and he made friends everywhere.

After raising their three children Chief and Dora adopted their three grandchildren and raised them as their very own.

Chief supported and assisted Dora in all her volunteer work. Together they did Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, mentoring, church fiestas, community cleanups and school events. Chiefs' painting sponsored Cobre football, Cobre band, and Santa Clara Catechism and Confirmation groups.

Chief offered his time and talent to paint the area churches and the Santa Clara cemetery. In gratitude for success of his painting business Chief donated to the area nursing homes, toys for children, food baskets during Christmas, Little League, and for three years sponsored a free Easter Egg hunt for the community.

Chief was very proud of his native Navajo culture. He spoke fluent Navajo.

Chief will be greatly missed by many.

He is survived by his loving wife Dora, their daughter Delia Esparza and son David of the home, five sons Albert "Sonny" Simpson of Albuquerque, Armando and his wife Brandy and their three children A.J, Isabel and baby girl to be of Bayard, Sammy and his companion Princess of Santa Clara, Alvin and Symon of the home in Bayard. He is also survived by two brothers, Herbert Simpson and Tommy Simpson and his wife Ida of Farmington, four sisters Lorraine and Laverne Simpson of Farmington, Laura and husband Frank Peters and family of Farmington, Loretta and husband Julian Redhair and family also of Farmington. His mother and father in- law Richard and Elizabeth Esparza of Santa Clara whom he loved very much. His sister in law Elizabeth and Nick Flores of Santa Clara and his brother in law Albert and his wife Yvonne Esparza and family of Santa Clara. He had numerous nieces and nephews, aunts, and uncles. His extended family Isabel and Lita Martinez of Bayard and Norma and Kristy Arambula and family of Silver City. His God children Brandon Cisneros of Bayard, Mikey, and Alexis Rivera of Santa Clara.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughters Kimberly and Alize Simpson, his Grandmother Myrona Jones, his aunt Dorothy Jones, Grandma Polly Esparza, brother in law Richard Paul Esparza and God Father Rudy Murillo.

The Holy Rosary will be recited by Deacon Art Gutierrez at Terrazas Funeral Chapels on Sunday May 27, 2018 at 6:00 pm. The Funeral Liturgy will be held on Monday May 28, 2018 at 9:30 at Santa Clara Catholic Church with Father Robert Becerra officiating. Cremation will take place and a burial will take place at 4:00 pm at the Santa Clara Cemetery. The reception will be at the National Guard Armory following the mass.

Pallbearers are Sammy Simpson, Albert Esparza, Nick Flores, Mike Ritter, Frank Peters, Eddie Rodriquez, David Medrano, and Victor Arambula. Honorary Pallbearers are Richard Esparza, his nephews Steven and Santana Escobar and Shawn Esparza, his many customers, friends at Ace and his Cursillo brothers and sisters that he loved.

Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory "Trusted care for the ones you love" ~ 575-537-0777.

To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.