Byron Simpson

Born in Baton Rouge, LA on April 24, 1966

Departed on November 15, 2019 and resided in Nashville, Tennessee

Byron Ray Simpson, 53, of Bellevue (Davidson County), TN, died on Friday, November 15, 2019. He was born April 24, 1966 in Baton Rouge, LA where he graduated from Baton Rouge Magnet High School in 1984. Byron studied music composition at the University of Southern California and earned a BA with the class of 1996. He graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from Pepperdine University School of Law in 1999.
During his time in California, Byron worked as a writer and actor: His best-known credits include writer on the Walt Disney animation screenplay The Rescuers Down Under and writer and soundtrack credits for the animated television series Timon and Pumbaa. Byron once wrote ~ and repeated often ~ that he felt most like himself when riding in the car with his sons or sitting at the piano.
Byron started his family during the California years. Dillon, Noah and Bennett were still very young when Byron and Kelly relocated to Tennessee. Byron served as an attorney in both Williamson and Davidson Counties in years past.
Others familiar with Byron in recent years, though, knew him best as the concerned, direct and compassionate voice that guided hundreds - and likely thousands - of people suffering from addiction out of a maze of confusion and into healing. The consummate professional, he valued and practiced integrity and respect. He was an avid volunteer for the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program for a number of years. He is spoken of highly by colleagues as much as by those whose lives he helped save.
Byron also continued to create throughout his life. He enjoyed his seasons as a member of the Nashville In Harmony city chorus. He was in rehearsal for an upcoming play and in the midst of recording an album at the time of his unexpected death. He made time to write and to practice meditation, besides being extremely well-read. He was always well-aware of culture and current events. But his overriding passions were his relationships to family and friends.
Byron is survived by his devoted partner of 10 years, James "Jim" Ramsey of Nashville; beloved sons Dillon Simpson of Denver, Colorado; Noah Simpson of Knoxville, TN; and Bennett Simpson of Franklin, TN ; parents Melvin Simpson and Bonnie Faye Parr Simpson of Baton Rouge, LA; brother Brent Simpson (Connie), and nephew Max Simpson of Prairieville LA; co-parent Kelly Calhoun McElhiney (Chris) of Franklin, TN; his longtime pet cat, Cairo; and a great many beneficiaries, colleagues and friends.
Byron was preceded in death by Jim's mother Elba Pauline Devore Ramsey this past April. Byron's nurture and care for Jim's mother inspired the gratitude of the entire Ramsey family. Pauline, for her part, loved Byron as another son.
Please note that there are two memorial services planned.
The first service is on Friday, December 6th at Lanier Baptist Church, 4851 Lanier Drive in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at 6:00 pm.
The second service will be in Nashville, Tennessee on Sunday, December 15th at Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens on Highway 100. Visitation begins at 1:00 pm followed by the service at 2:00 pm.