John David Sims passed away peacefully at home on January 27, 2020, in Huntsville, Alabama, at the age of 79.
John is survived by his wife, Maria Jean Sims; children, J. Bradford Sims (wife, Beth; daughters, Sloane and Sydney) of New York, NY; Kristin Laura Cales (husband, Greg; daughters, Callie, Sadie, and Amelia) of Thompson’s Station, TN, and Amy Love Sims (son, Adam) of Huntsville, AL; brother, W.H. “Bill” Sims of Huntsville, AL. He is preceded in death by parents, Joseph and Ruby Love Sims of Birmingham, AL; brother, Joseph Laney Sims of New Market, AL; and sister, Annie Laura Akin of Marietta, GA.
John was born on February 5, 1940, in Birmingham, AL, to Joseph and Ruby Sims. He graduated from the University of Alabama in 1963 with a BS in aeronautical engineering. He married Maria Jean Zimmerman in 1973 in Sacramento, CA, and they had 3 children. John was a Liquid Propulsion expert, having worked 12 years at General Dynamics before joining Aerojet, where he retired in 1997 after 24 years. He also consulted for Hernandez Engineering, Analytical Services, and SAIC. In the later years, John was blessed with 5 granddaughters and a grandson.
John was a staunch Conservative, an Apple product aficionado, loved the game of baseball, and was a lifelong University of Alabama Crimson Tide fan. Roll Tide!
In a handwritten Last Will & Testament dated 14 January 1967, John wrote the following:
I leave nothing of value to me other than the memory that might exist in the minds of people I have known. I wished nothing in life except to be loved, and wish nothing in death except a legacy of love for my family and my friends and my Savior Jesus Christ. My parting hope is to see those I love in the paradise to which I expect to go.
There will be a private family service.
John was a very patriotic man and loved supporting our military and veterans. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to the Gary Sinise Foundation at GarySiniseFoundation.org/donate or Gary Sinise Foundation, PO Box 368, Woodland Hills, CA 91365.
