Michael Eugene Sims
December 16, 1937 ~ July 25, 2022
Marietta Southern Cremations & Funerals
Michael E. Sims - Obituary
December 16, 1937- July 25th, 2022. Michael Eugene Sims, age 85, Passed away on Monday, July 25th at Wellstar Kennestone. He will be remembered for his endless love for his family and friends, his positive attitude, generous heart, and huge papa bear hugs. Born in Atlanta, Ga. to John and Sarah Boozer Sims. He was the second oldest of 4 brothers, Buck, Jerry, and Lenus. The Sims family grew up off Ashby St. in Atlanta. He grew up in the Westend playing and working in his neighborhood. He ran a paper route with his brothers and worked at his Dad’s gas station. Mike attended Brown High School and was a proud graduate. He later attended Southern Tech, then Georgia Tech, and went to many schools including General school in Leavenworth Kansas. Mike met Mary Ann Butler in high school. Always said she put the “double whammie” on him and he could never escape her love spell. After they married in 1957, continue to live in Atlanta and throughout the southeast, at various job sites and stations, he worked as a surveyor, engineer, project manager and officer. Wherever he worked he became a valued and respected team member. Working for Miller Stevenson & Baker, Bickerstaff Construction, Ayers Moore Development, and Horne Construction. Mike was driven to do great things. He joined the Army National Guard combat engineers where he nurtured a great leadership career and retired as a Brigadier General. Throughout his military career, he developed long-lasting friendships with fellow enlistees Bill Smythe, and Ed Milam. He was in the military for 27 years. Mary and Mike had two beautiful boys, Stephen Anthony, and Erik Standton Sims. Family was his highest priority. He took every opportunity to involve the entire family including creek stomping, working, camping, hunting, and building everything (from punching bags, canoes, airplanes, rockets, and muskets to building a Millennium Falcon tercet). Also took Karate lessons as a family and vacationed in Alabama, Mexico, Montana, &Hawaii. Another common love was shooting and collecting guns. They would often make a day out in the woods for target practice. He started Sims Construction in 1975 where many of his friends and family worked. Sims Construction in Smyrna Ga was a creative and fertile plant. He loved animals, especially dogs and the leader of many packs. At times a closet thespian, he was equal to any classically trained Shakespearean actor when he pretended to enjoy shopping with Mary.
In his later years, naturally grew into the role of Santa Clause. He brought so much joy to the children who sat on his lap and share their Christmas wishes. He also cooked pancakes for the youth at Smyrna First United Methodist Church. He loved his 2 grandchildren, Amelia and Aubrey, children of Erik and Allyson Sims.
Mike is preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Mary Sims. He survived by his sister-n-laws, Linda Standfield, Hassie Holder & Brother-n-law Kelly George Holder, Cheryl Sims wife of Lenus, Ruth Sims wife of Buck, , along with his many nieces, grand nieces , nephews and grandnephews who adored “Uncle Mic”. Mike Sims gained many names over the years, son, brother, husband, father, General Sims, Uncle Mic, Popa Sims and his true self Santa Clause. All had a special meaning to his family and friends who loved him.
A celebration of life gathering will be held at Smyrna First United Methodist Church, 4:00pm-6:00pm Sunday August 14th in the welcome center, open house. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made to Smyrna First United Methodist Church. https://www.shelbygiving.com/app/giving/smyrnafumc
We want to thank Southern Cremations and funeral /Marietta for their participation.
Celebration of Life Gathering
Sunday, August 14th, 2022
04:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Smyrna First United Methodist Church
1315 Concord Rd
Smyrna, GA 30082
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So many, many fond warm memories from our special friendship and activities together! Too private to share. “Ivan” will be sorely missed but forever remembered by “Petrov!” – Bill Smyth