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Atlanta – Thomas D. Sims Jr., age 79, passed on January 28th in Sant Rosa Beach, FL after a long battle with cancer and Alzheimer’s.
Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Tom Sims Sr. and Eunice H. Sims, and his sisters,
Patty Mallory and Lee Sims, along with his brother-in-law Jack Mallory. He is survived by his former wife, Jane Simmons Christie, and their children, Ashley (Jim) Sims-Plank and Ty (Lee Lee) Sims as well as by his former wife, Nancy Sims, and their child Harrison (Krista) Sims. He is also survived by his former wife, Linda Burdine Price. He leaves behind a nephew, Michael Mallory, and two nieces, Katherine Mallory and Jessica Pittman Thomason as well as four grandchildren, Elizabeth Plank, Daniel Plank, Thomas Sims, and Caroline Sims. Tom will be fiercely missed by all, especially by his beloved dog Milly who was his constant companion.
Tommy grew up in Ansley Park with his parents and his sisters. At Grady High School, he was
involved in many clubs, was on the football team, was an Eagle Scout, and was even Prom King his senior year. He attended University of Georgia as a political science major and was a member of Kappa Alpha, Alpha Chapter. Tom and his father had their own commercial real
estate business and he continued commercial real estate throughout his life.
Tom is a veteran of the Vietnam War and served as a Captain in the Marine Corps flying H-34 helicopters. He was a part of the squadron HMM-363, nicknamed the “Lucky Red Lions”, and he was awarded many medals for his service, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. He flew in multiple covert and reconnaissance missions, including the Tet Offensive, and flying medivac in and out of enemy territory many times to bring in and evacuate his fellow soldiers. He was a
proud American.
Tom was gregarious. He loved to be cheeky and to laugh, but he was also very sentimental. He loved his friends and family deeply, and would do anything for them. He loved to read and would have three to four books going at a time. He was an avid collector of art, loved to go to the botanical gardens and attend the symphony. He also loved training his dogs to help him hunt and in the etiquette of being a well behaved dog. Each of his dogs meant so much to him. He loved eating peanut butter and raspberry jam as well as mayonnaise and peanut butter sandwiches. Tommy always had to be well groomed and dressed, and he was a firm believer in having good manners. When he wasn’t listening to classical music, you could find him whistling along to beach music. He always had to have a jar of Tupelo honey from Dahlonega in his house; a legacy left by his honey loving father.
Tom will be interred on Saturday March 11th at 9:30am at Arlington Memorial Park, 201 Mount Vernon Hwy NW, Sandy Springs, GA 30328, and a memorial service will be held on the same day at 1:00pm at First Presbyterian Church, 1328 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309. His family invite all who knew him to come celebrate his life and memory.
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Chris Reynolds
I've known Tommy since we attended Spring Street Grammer School. At that time, we both lived on La Fayette Drive, in Ansley Park. I lived at 55 in an Apartment and he lived at 47, in a big house on a hill, with was on the corner of La Fayette and Yonah Drive. We would play in La Fayette Park after School with other Classmates who lived around the Park. My parents later moved to Flagler Avenue, which was known as Ansley Park II. Sometime later, Tommy's Family moved to 159 The Prado, in Ansley Park. Our Families continued living in these Home long after Tommy and I graduated from Grady. As most of you know, I still live on Flager. Both Houses where Tommy grew up are gone. The House and Hill on La Fayette have been replaced by a huge Multifamily House, which is now 1 & 3 Yonah Drive. A Modern Home is now at The Prado. Tommy and I, as well as most of the Boys at Spring Street, were member of Cub Scout Pack 24 or 26 (I can't remember the number), which was sponsored by Peachtree Christian Church. Later we were both in Boy Scout Troop 60 and Explorer Post 60 at First Presbyterian Church. We spent many good times at Camp Bert Adams, Camporees and BST & EP Camping Trips. We were both Eagle Scouts.
Of course, everyone is familiar with Tommy's Grady Life. As with most of our Class, after Graduation, many of us lost touch with each other. Our Reunions and our Atlanta Luncheons reunited many of us.
Tommy's Mother, Eunice, was very active in SSS and GHS PTAs and School Activities. She was always very kind and thoughtful to "Spring Streeters". When she became very sick, prior to her passing, several of us made a large get well card with our pictures for her. I really can't remember who the others were, but I believe that there about 12 and almost all female. I attended Tommy's younger Sister, Lee's Funeral (Linda Burdine was there) and also his older Sister, Patty's Funeral (Linda was also there). Now I will be attending Tommy's Interment at Arlington Memorial Park (I have 7 Family members there) and his Memorial Service at First Presbyterian Church (This time I'm not sure if Linda will be healed enough to attend).
Tommy is now with his Family in peaceful rest.
Evelyn Connie Brown (Holliman)
Chris, the date and time of the memorial has been changed to Monday, March 13th at 1:00. The burial remains the same at Arlington Memorial Park.
Connie
Herky Harris
Tommy was a great friend from 8th grade until now. He was fun loving but in his heart he was a true American patroit. He served in the Marines with great distinction and did his duty and more in Vietnam. I admired his dedication and was not surprised at his courage and valor as Tommy was just that sort of man who would take the personal risks necessary to save others. He was a true hero.
I will miss Tommy and offer his family my deepest condolences
Herky
Richard Alterman
Tommy was an all-around good guy and a good friend. We had a lot of fun together at Grady and really enjoyed each others' company, cutting up and sharing lots of laughs.
Surprisingly, we managed to stay in touch over the years. We always had lunch together on his birthday, but somehow missing out on mine. It was good catching up with him over the years and seeing what he was up to, who he was with, and bragging about our kids.
Tommy loved the Marines and took great pride in his service, and rightly so.
Tommy was well-read, and I was surprised that he had a great love of music, especially jazz. I always enjoyed having him attend my son, Joe's performances.
I'll miss his smile and good humor, his positive attitude and fun-loving approach to life.
RIP old friend.
-Richard Alterman
Chris Reynolds
UPDATE
Linda was able to attend Tommy's Enterment. She was released from the Hospital on Friday.
Nicky Jordan
Tommy and I were good friends and he was always there to advise me with real estate issues.
Once on returning home from a week end trip to Florida, Tommy gave me a quick 5 minate coarse in flying. But when I ask Tommy "Should I take I 475 bi-pass around Maycon or just go straight through Macon on I-75", He quickly took back the controls and returned us safely back to Atlanta.
R. I. P. Young Warrior,
Nicky Jordan