Gerald Martin SIMS

SIMS, ODLAND, EDMISTON, ROLLINS, LAHAIE, DUNBAR, BYRD, KEMP, DATTILO, HEATH, SULLIVAN, WILSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/21/2016 at 20:47:47

January 10, 1946 ---- October 19, 2010

Gerald Martin Sims died in Mesa, Arizona early Tuesday morning, October 19, 2010 with family at his side. He was 64 years old.

Gerald was born on January 10, 1946 in Wright County, Iowa to the late Wendell Herbert and Irene Maxine (Odland) Sims. He has lived in Arizona for the past 56 years. Gerald was a U.S. Navy Veteran and served his country honorably. He was an educational facilities administrator for many years.

Gerald is survived by: his wife, Linda Louise Sims of Snowflake, Arizona; 3 children: Laura (Trent) Rollins, Garrett Sims, Carrie (Rolland) LaHaie; 8 siblings: Gwen (Ed) Dunbar, Christine (Andy) Edmiston, Rita (Max) Byrd, Rod (Tina) Sims, Peggy (Kenny) Kemp, Gail (Peter) Dattilo, Debra (Randy) Heath, Wendy (John) Sullivan; 1 brother-in-law, Chip (Brenda) Wilson and 5 grandchildren.

A special memorial service will held 11:00 A.M., Saturday, October 23, 2010 at the Calvary Church on Stinson Street (behind the Chevron Station) in Snowflake, Arizona. The graveside service and interment will begin 11:00 A.M., Monday, October 25, 2010 at the R.V. "Mike" Ramsay Memorial Cemetery in Snowflake, Arizona.

The White Mountain Independent -- Show Low, AZ
November 5, 2010

Gerald "Shorty" Sims, 64, went to be with the Lord Oct. 19, 2010, in Mesa after battling cancer. A memorial service was held at Calvary Chapel in Snowflake Oct. 23, with graveside services Oct 25, at the R.V. "Mike" Ramsey Memorial Cemetery in Snowflake.

Gerald was born Jan. 10, 1946, in Iowa City, Iowa to Wendell and Irene (Odland) Sims. He graduated from Marana High School in 1964 and attended University of Arizona, then enlisted in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War Era and was stationed in Japan as a Communication Intelligence Specialist. He raced dirt bikes for the American Motor-Cross Racing Team and spent free time touring Japan on his Yamaha. Gerald was employed by the Snowflake School District for 27 years. He had a great vision for implementing technology in the district and worked to provide students all the computer benefits of big city schools.

In his free time he enjoyed camping, spending time with family, building design, and construction. Gerald was a wonderful husband, father, brother, and uncle. His smile and kind and loving personality will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and coworkers.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Louise Sims of Snowflake; three children: Laura (Trent) Rollins, Garrett Sims, Carrie (Rolland) LaHaie; eight siblings: Gwen (Ed) Dunbar, Christine (Andy) Edmiston, Rita (Max) Byrd, Rod (Tina) Sims, Peggy (Kenny) Kemp, Gail (Peter) Dattilo, Deborah (Randy) Heath, Wendy (John) Sullivan; brother-in-law, Chip (Brenda) Wilson and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister and five nephews. The family has asked that donations be made in Gerald's name to the Town of Snowflake "Main Street Lamp Post Fund." Owens Livingston Mortuary of Show Low handled arrangements.