Spotlight on Sooner Rotarian Judy Simpkins

Judy has been a Sooner Rotarian for 20 years.  She has served as Program Chair, Membership  Chair, President,1994-95, Sooner Rotary 20 Year Celebration Chair, Fundraising  Co-chair, 2010-2011, Sponsorship Chair LTDV, 2011 and 2012, and a member of  Nexus.

One of Judy’s favorite quotes includes:  “The purpose of life, after all, is to  live it, taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear  for newer and richer experience.”   Eleanor Roosevelt

The thing Judy loves most about Sooner Rotary is the uplifting spirit  of our club.  Club members are always  responding in positive ways at meetings and through service projects.  She loves the synergy we experience – functioning together to produce a result not independently obtainable.

Judy retired from being Court Administrator for the city of Norman, 1967-2007.  Services that were provided  included managing the administrative (non-judicial) functions of the court: compliance with court procedures, laws, regulation governing the court, the  accountability of court documents, records, budget and revenues, and court  personnel.

Judy’s children are Bret who is an air traffic controller in Atlanta  and Tomi who is a clerk/bailiff for Associate Judge Stephen Bonner.  Judy lives with two Havenese dogs, Bailey and  Angelina Jolie.

A book Judy enjoyed is Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand.

Activities Judy enjoys participating in with friends include: Bridge Club, Mahjong, Book Club, Words with Friends on iphone, riding her bike when she airs  up the tires.  When she watches  television, she enjoys “Harry’s Law”, “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Dancing with the Stars”, “Castle”, College/Pro Football.  Favorite  singers include Rod Stewart, Andrea Bocelli, Carly Simon, Willie Nelson, and  ABBA.  Favorite sports teams include the  Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings. She recently enjoyed the movie, “The Help”  which she enjoyed because “it stirs the soul”.   Judy belongs to a book club and favorite titles include: In the  Garden of Beasts, Race and the University, and Einstein: His Life  and Universe.

If Judy had the opportunity to study something interesting it would be  French.  The least interesting topic she  could study would be chemistry.

If Judy could live somewhere else for awhile, it would be in Paris.  If she could choose a place to travel to, it  would be Italy.  Some interesting places  she has visited include: New York City, Washington, DC, Portland, Oregon, and  Granby, Colorado.

Judy’s favorite meal includes filet mignon, Caesar salad, mixed veggies, and key lime pie.  Her favorite games are  Trivia, Contract Bridge, Words with Friends, and 31.  Favorite sports include tennis and football. In high school, Judy played volleyball and basketball.

Judy also belongs to the First Christian Church and is on the board of Bridges. She just started volunteering at the hospital.

Three wishes Judy has are for global non-violence, religious tolerance, and that the economy would grow faster.  She assumes that these are wishes we all share.