After graduating from the University of Glasgow with first class honours in Mathematics and Physics, Simpson had contemplated a career studying atomic research.
Not wanting to spend his life in the manufacture of nuclear bombs, he chose to study Divinity at the University of Glasgow.
In 1997 he demitted his charge at Dornoch to become an "Interim Minister" for several years (helping congregations to working through periods of transition).
[1] His title (following the end of his Moderatorial year) is the Very Reverend Dr James Alexander Simpson BSc BD STM DD.
Together they had five children: Morag, Neil, Graeme, Alistair and Elaine; as well being survived by eight grandchildren (to whom he was called 'papa'), and two great-grandchildren.
At the Service of Thanksgiving, held at St Leonards in the Fields Church in Perth, former Moderator, Very Rev.
At the end of the funeral, retiring donations were invited for Cystic Fibrosis Research and Bankfoot Church Centre.