Graveside services will be held at 1:15 PM, Tuesday, February 17, 2015, at Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, AL, for Lieutenant Colonel Thomas J. Sims, 83, Glencoe, who died Wednesday, February 11th, 2015. Brother Anthony Copeland will officiate. Crestwood Funeral Home is in charge.
He was a Christian, and a longtime member of Emanuel Baptist Church of Hokes Bluff. Lt Col Sims departed this beautiful life on Wednesday, February 11th, 2015, at St. Vincent's St. Clair hospital in Pell City, AL. Lt Col Sims was born in Gadsden and was a 1948 graduate of Hokes Bluff High School, where he was a three sports star. He received his BS & MS degrees from Jacksonville State University. After graduation, he coached football and basketball at Glencoe. Col Sims was called to active duty during the Berlin Crisis and continued to serve his country for an additional thirty years. After serving three years in Japan he was assigned to Cu-Chi, Vietnam, serving as a company commander in the 25th Infantry Division during the Tet Offensive. Col Sims served with honors throughout his military career. He was awarded the Honorary Vietnam Signal Corps Badge, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army commendation Medal (3D Oak Leaf Cluster), Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Bronze Star Medal (3D Oak Leaf Cluster), Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal First Class, 2 Overseas Service Bars, and the Meritorious Unit Award. Col Sims was selected and served as the senior ROTC instructor at Jacksonville and Gadsden State where he served a four year tour of duty enabling him to be home nightly.. He was selected for Special Assignment in Tehran, Iran. He was an army advisor to the Shah of Iran. He served a two year tour in Ft. Bragg, and culminated his last tour of duty as Director of Force Modification at Anniston Army Depot. After retirement from active duty he originally started and developed a Jr ROTC Unit at Etowah High School. He served in that capacity for fifteen years. Col Sims loved boating, jet skiing, animals, Alabama Football, and loved life to the fullest. If he were able he would tell all his friends and comrades Thank you for your service and Carry on.
He was preceded in death by his parents, J.T. and Daisy Sims; parents-in-law, Ruby and Q.B. Gilliland, Brother in-law Alan Gilliland and sister in-law Helen Annette Mayo.He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Janella; son, John Timothy; granddaughter, Savannah Leigh Sims McCord; brother, Bobby J (Anne) Sims; precious nieces Patty, Pam, Judy, Libby,Sherry and Charlotte; nephews, David and Kevin; and special sister-in-law, Carley Gilliland.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Emanuel Baptist Church of Hokes Bluff or Wounded Warriors.
Special thanks to the ICU staff at St. Vincent's St. Clair, and to all the cadets he proudly educated over the years.
The family will accept friends Monday evening, from 6-8 PM.