Birth date: Sep 28, 1929 Death date: Jul 9, 2009
STIMPSON, JR., EDDIE (Sarge) Born September 28, 1929 in Plano, TX and passed away July 9, 2009 in Dallas, TX. Visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 PM, Monday, July 13, 2009 at Restland Funeral Home. Service will be 10:00 AM, Tuesday, Ju Read Obituary
Today (Aug. 10th) we learned of the death of one of our favorite people, Eddie "Sarge" Stimpson. We are so sorry that we didn't know about the funeral or visitation. We would like to have paid our respect to him and his family. The family has our deepest sympathy. Rodney & Katherine Gant Plano, TX 75074
My heart was saddened today as I heard of the passing of a dear friend, Sarge Stimpson. Had I known about it at the time of the funeral, I would have been there for certain. My great-great-grandparents were Isaac and Rachel Stimpson, early settlers of Collin County in 1853. They brought slaves with them from Trigg County, Kentucky, one of which was Mose Stimpson, great-grandfather to Sarge. When I learned that Sarge was a descendent of Mose, who I had heard stories about in my early childhood, I was compelled to meet with Sarge and we did in 1996 at Mrs. Well's home. I was nervous as I went to meet him. Hope my ancestors were good to Mose. Wondered what stories Sarge had heard from Mose. We immediately "took a liking" to one another. He referred to me as his "kindalations", term he made up. My husband and I went to several of his book reviews and enjoyed them immensely. He came to my home years ago for lunch and I showed him the bedroom suite Isaac and Rachel Stimson had brought on their journey to Texas. He laid his arm across the top of the chest of drawers, closed his eyes, and was trying to visualize Mose and the other slaves walking alongside the covered wagon that carried the bedroom suite. Yes, I will always treasure my memories of my kindalation, Sarge Stimpson.
The night after the funeral, I sat down and began to write and listen to audios of my memories of my friend brother Eddie "Sarg" Stimpson for over 20 years. I was sad at times and laughed at times. He is missed by my family and I, like no one will ever know. He and I would always sing a song when we were together "Who's going down in the grave with me/Jesus was going down in the grave with me…" As I sit looking at him at his buriel site I was watching and thinking about the song and all the other things he shared with me going down in the grave; but as long as I live they will remain with me and will continue to spread and surface. May God The Christ stay with my friend and brother Eddie "Sarg" Stimpson.
I feel so fortunate to have known Sarge and heard his stories as he shared such colorful memories of his life and family. I first met him when the Farmstead was working on the additions for the equipment barn. It was amazing not just in the amount of knowledge Sarge had about the farming tools and eqiupment, but truly the "stories" he told about each piece of equipment at the Farmstead. My Remembers is a cherished library addition at our house and I can always hear his voice in every page I read. We are all fortunate to have been able to step back in history with such an amazing gentelman. Thank you for being a part of the historical community and education in general here in Plano and all of Collin County. We'll miss you greatly.
Sarge was one of the first characters I met when I moved down here to Texas four years ago. And I do mean Character. He stopped by the history center in McKinney to drop off more of his books for our gift store. He quickly found out I was the new guy, sat himself down at the big table in the archives, and said, "Bryan, let me tell you a story". Two-and-one-half hours later I knew more about North Texas history than any book I have read since. He told me of how he "got" into the Army, what it was like being a sharecropper, all about his family, the Douglass Community, and it seemed everything about the pioneer families of Plano. I could tell this was not just an old timer telling tales, but an Elder who was sharing the wisdom and enthusiasm of what he had lived. I talked with Sarge several times since then, lastly at the presentation he gave for us in February, as the kick off for our new dinner – lecture series in McKinney. Every time we talked I came away feeling that I was another in a long line of people he influenced with his generous and caring spirit. This morning we sent Sarge off – dressed in his bib overalls – in a very fine memorial service. Our Sarge, the great sharecropper, has been called home. I bet the Great Shepherd has a list of farm chores for Sarge. Surely there is a flock that needs tending, a barn door that is off its track, and a garden that needs weeds pulled. Bryan Lean Senior Curator North Texas History Center
It saddens me of his passing. He truly was one of a kind…and so kind he was. He touched so many lives in more ways that can be imagined. I am so glad I had the opportunity to know him through the Farmstead. he will be greatly missed.
Whether talking to students in the classroom, giving a presentation at a history conference or just visiting, Sarge was always the same. His was a big heart and a gentle soul. I loved his stories and his voice; he reminded me so very much of my own father. He was a keen-eyed guide to the past and his voice connected readers and listeners with generations long gone. We are all richer for having Sarge in our lives. It is wonderful that his voice will continue to enrich others through his books.
I's sorry for your family's loss. I can only hope that loving memories will overshadow your current sorrow. My thoughts and prayers are with family and friends that will miss him. May he rest in peace!
Your dad loved to tell stories and enjoyed recounting the days of his early life to the students. When he came to our classes as a guest speaker, he enlivened history with his wit, love of the narrative, and enjoyment of life. He was so proud of his family. You will always have great memories of his oral chronicling and his writing his memoirs. I am glad to have known him.
A strong image for me, in my own personal "remembers", is Sarge. His was a srtong, loving, steady presence in many of our lives. Fortunately, for us, his gift for story telling was shared with the community and captured in written form. Helping Sarge with his first book was one of my mother's favorite joys. My father, as well, had a special kinship and a fondness for him that overflowed on to me. I loved Sarge very much and celebrate his life. If heaven is anything like they claim it to be, then I know that he must be fishing right now. God's peace to his family and loved ones.
