Jim Sims

James Allen “Jim” Sims, of Greenfield, Missouri, left this world to be with his heavenly Father on Sunday, June 29, 2025 at the age of 86.

James Allen Sims was born in Tyler, Texas on February 7, 1939 to Cecil and Mary (Drake) Sims.

Jim’s father Cecil was a union carpenter and mason and he built the home Jim grew up in along with his  sister Ernastine and brothers John Ross and Carl Quitman. Ernastine was the eldest followed by John then Carl and Jim arrived 22 years after Ernastine was born.  Jim grew up more as brothers with Ernastine’s son Bill than with his own brothers as John was off to war serving with the Marines. James grew up in that house in Tyler, Texas and lived there until leaving for college.

During his youth, Jim worked after school at Mr. Orr’s Grocery and Feed & Seed until he graduated from Tyler High School class of 1957. He went on to Tyler Junior College and continued to Abilene Christian College in Abilene, Texas. After college, he took a job for Quality Publishing, a small, local publishing and advertising business.  They printed Bibles and Christian study materials, sending them all over the country.

This work eventually led Jim to Tulsa, Oklahoma and to a ministry for single adults. This is where he met Mary Birch.  Jim and Mary were married at Garnet Church of Christ in 1989.  Mary’s job soon transferred them to Ft. Worth, Texax and Jim found a place to serve, this time as a grief counselor, at Richland Hills Church of Christ. 

After Mary’s retirement in the early 2000’s they moved to Mary’s hometown of Greenfield, Missouir, to be near her mother.  Jim and Mary stayed for 15 years.

Jim loved people and had a kind encouraging word for everyone he encountered. He had a quick sense of humor and he always had a story to share. You could often find him pulling lighthearted shenanigans of some kind. He enjoyed cooking, a good road trip and discovering new roadside eats. He loved the Lord and was excited to share his faith with others.

Jim loved his community and worked in the Dade County Men’s Civic club serving under-privileged children and the elderly for many years. He was active in the church community, often leading Bible studies, mentoring, and preaching the word.  He served as a board member for the Christian Restoration Ministries, a group whose work spreads the word of God in Kenya and Tanzania. Most recently, the First Christian Church of Greenfield became his cherished church family.

 Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Mary; and his siblings, Johnny, Carl and Earnestine. Jim and Mary celebrated 33 wonderful years of marriage before her passing in December of 2023.

He is survived by his loving daughters, Mary Frances (Fran) and Julie Kay; his grandchildren: Sarah, Timothy, Emily, Natalie and Ashley; and his great-grandchildren: Reagan, Benjamin, Liam, Greyson, Amber, with another expected in late September.

The family would like to thank the many kind people including his community, his care providers, Mary’s (Birch) family, and especially his church family.  We offer a special thank you to Scott Houston. Thank you all for the outpouring of love and support.

A memorial service will be held at a later date and an announcement will be made. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jim’s honor can be made to Christian Restoration Ministries, PO Box 974, Springfield, MO 65801-0974.

Online condolences may be shared at www.greenfieldfuneralchapel.com.

Cremation services were under the care of Greenfield Funeral Chapel.