Jack Sims

DATELINE: KINGS MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA JACK SIMS Jack Sims of Sevierville, TN passed away Wednesday, February 14, 2018. He was born September 4, 1934 in Kings Mountain, NC. He was the son of Charlie Young Sims and Annie Reba Carpenter Sims. He had one brother, Charles Major Sims who was four years older. Jack attended school in Kings Mountain. During his high school years, Jack worked for a pharmacy delivering medications to customers. Orders would come into the pharmacy for medication and Jack would deliver the medication to the customer’s home on his bicycle. On October 1, 1952 Jack quit school and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where Jack spent 22 ½ years serving his country. His first assignment was to Parris Island, South Carolina for basic training. He then served at several bases in the United States and overseas. He was stationed in Beaufort SC, Yuma AZ, Jacksonville FL, Korea, Vietnam, Spain, and Japan. Jack attended several schools in the Marines to advance his career, eventually attaining the rank of Captain. Jack was home on leave in the spring of 1959 when he went to a restaurant to get something to eat. There he met a cute little waitress. It was love at first sight, but Jack had to leave and return to the base. A week later, Jack went back home and on April 8, 1959 married Virginia Dare Rathbone. They were married for 35 years. Jack retired from the Marine Corp April 30, 1975 and moved home to Kings Mountain. He earned a degree in business management and spent the next 20 years managing apartments. Virginia had to go to the hospital for open heart surgery on February 15, 1995. She passed away that day due to surgical complications. Jack and Virginia had four sons, Jack Venson Sims, Gregory Scott Sims, Charles Curtis Sims and Michael Dale Sims. In February 1996, Jack was introduced to Marilyn Buckner who was living in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. They dated for a year and were married February 22, 1997. They resided in Gatlinburg until November 28, 2016. Their home was destroyed in a major wildfire. They relocated to a Sevierville, TN retirement community. Most importantly, Jack was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. He attended the Parkway Church of God in Sevierville, Tennessee and volunteered as a faithful usher and greeter for many years. Jack was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children Virginia Rathbone Sims; parents, Charlie and Reba Sims and one grandson, Joshua Sims. Survivors are his wife, Marilyn Sims, children, Venson Sims (Mary), Greg Sims (Lourie), Michael Sims (Sandy) and Curtis Sims; Stepchildren, Ken Buckner (Karen), Beverly Tarver (Chip), Jill Marquez (Chris), Ronnie Buckner (Samantha); 38 Grandchildren and 37 Great Grandchildren. The family will receive friends 1 - 2:30 PM Sunday, February 18, 2018  at Harris Funeral Home, Kings Mountain, NC with graveside service at 3:00 PM at Mountain Rest Cemetery with full Military Honors. Pastor Philip Morris will officiate. GUEST REGISTER AVAILABLE AT WWW.HARRISFUNERALS.COM ARRANGEMENTS: HARRIS FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, KINGS MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA

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