Jerald D. Sims

SERVICES: Graveside services will be at 10:00 AM Monday, June 22, 2009, at Rowe Cemetery in Hedley. Memorial services will be at 2:00 PM Monday at First Baptist Church in Pampa with J. R. Manning of Levelland and Dr. Johnny Funderburg, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.BIOGRAPHY: Mr. Sims was born on July 23, 1929 in Washburn, Texas to Walter Jerome and Alberta Mae Sims. He grew up in Giles, Texas and Hedley and graduated from Hedley High School in 1946. Upon graduation, he began to work at the Security State Bank in Hedley. This was the beginning of a career in banking that lasted 45 years. He worked at First National Bank in Pampa from 1954 until his retirement in 1991. He started in the bookkeeping department and retired as a senior vice-president. Jerry served in the U. S. Army in Germany from 1950-1952 during the Korean War and in the Army Reserves from 1952-1956.Mr. Sims was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Pampa where he served as a Sunday School director and deacon. He was also a member of Downtown Kiwanis Club, Pampa Rotary Club, Pampa Chamber of Commerce, Pampa Masonic Lodge #966, and was a charter member of the Pampa Optimist Club. Jerry was chosen by the Chamber of Commerce as Pampa's first Citizen of the Year in 1989. He made a positive influence on everyone he met, and he was an awesome father, Papa, friend and community leader.SURVIVORS: 2 sons: Jerry Sims and wife Stephanie of Lubbock and Barry Sims and wife Olivia of Canadian; 2 daughters: Kim Hopkins and husband Marshall and Lisa Gibson and husband Brad, all of Pampa; a sister: Mildred Young and husband Joe of Lubbock; and by 16 grandchildren: Chandi Taylor and husband Drew, Chris Sims and wife Amber, Caitlin Sims, Connor Sims, Barry Don Sims and Dani Thomas, Taylor Sims and wife Bonnie, Haley Sims, Jake Hopkins, Maggie Hopkins, Hannah Hopkins, Claire Hopkins, Audrey Hopkins, Josh Gibson, Cassie Willis and husband Jacob, Ben Gibson, and Cali Gibson.The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Edward Abraham Memorial Home where he spent the last four years of his life in the loving care of the staff and volunteers and also to Hemphill County Hospice for giving special care to Jerry and his family over the past 10 months.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, P. O. Box 621, Pampa, TX 79066, Hemphill County Hospice, 1020 S. 4th St., Canadian, TX 79014, or the Edward Abraham Memorial Home, 803 Birch St., Canadian, TX 79014.SPECIAL NOTICE: The family will receive friends from 5:00-6:30 PM Sunday at the funeral home.