Dick Simms - LHS Class of 1949

Richard Charles Simms passed away suddenly July 28 while vacationing on Topsail Island, North Carolina, with family members, dozens of whom were gathered there for their annual reunion. He was born in Concordia, Kansas on March 21, 1932. Dick graduated from Leavenworth Kansas High School in 1949 and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He has lived in the Dayton, Ohio, area for the last 49 years with his wife of 51 years, Marilyn J. Turner Simms (LHS Class of 1953).
Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Lehman Simms of Memphis, Tennessee, and Grace Tuley Grape of Kickapoo, Kansas. He is survived by his wife; daughters Shelly Simms of Columbus, Ohio and Rebecca Welles and son-in-law Harris Welles of Raleigh, North Carolina; his stepmother LaVerne Simms of Memphis, Tennessee; his brothers and sisters-in-law Steve and Trish Simms of Leavenworth, Kansas; Bobby Simms of Memphis, Tennessee; Paul and Janet Simms of Little Rock, Arkansas; Phil and Gayle Simms of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Alan Simms of Houston, Texas, and his sisters and brothers-in-law Suzanne and John Schmidt of Hoisington, Kansas; and Barb and Pat Caesar of Germantown, Tennessee. Dick had three grandchildren: Nicole Kleinas, Evan Welles and Rachel Welles, and many cousins, nieces and nephews who will all miss him dearly.
Dick was an amazing artist, illustrator and cartoonist whose wry sense of humor was evident in all that he did. A Civil War buff, he was an avid reader who never lost his intellectual curiosity. He loved to spend time with his family, enjoyed cards and golf, and was a great fan of auto racing, especially NASCAR and the Indy car circuit. He was also an active member of the Christ United Methodist Church of Kettering, Ohio.
An informal gathering of family, friends and acquaintances is planned for 3-5 PM Saturday, August 1, 2009 at TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME - FAR HILLS CHAPEL, 5471 Far Hills Ave. at Rahn Rd. to celebrate Dick's life and work. A memorial service open to all will take place on Sunday, August 2 at 2 PM at Christ United Methodist Church, 3440 Shroyer Road, in Kettering, Ohio 45429. Flowers are welcome, however memorial contributions may be sent in Dick's name to the building of the new South Campus Church of Christ United Methodist, 9391 Washington Church Road, Miamisburg, Ohio 45242. Condolences may be sent to tobiasfuneralhome.com.
Click HERE to see some of Dick's artwork.