Beloved family man, friend and teacher, John Junior Sims passed peacefully surrounded by his family at home in Owasso, OK, on March 4, 2023, at the age of 78. A visitation will be held at 3-6PM at Palmer Marler Funeral Home in Cushing, OK, with the family greeting friends from 3-5PM. A Celebration of his life is planned for Friday, March 10 at 1:00 p.m. at the Ripley High School Auditorium in Ripley, OK.
John was born on October 14, 1944, in Hooks, TX to Virginia “Juanita” Flanary Sims. At a young age, he helped his family by working multiple jobs and helping take care of his little sister Donna. John graduated from Central High School in Muskogee, OK, with the Class of 1962. After graduating, he attended Oklahoma State University. He received his Bachelor degree in 1966 and his Masters degree at Central State University (Edmond) in 1974. Both were in Education.
On August 8, 1965, John was married to the love of his life, Judy Ann Martin of Cushing at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Cushing. Shortly after college, John made the decision to join the Air Force in 1968 where he continued to educate fellow airmen as a training instructor. For over 42 years, John loved being an educator and mentor to a multitude of students and fellow teachers alike in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas. After teaching at Cushing Middle School for several years, he retired in 1997. His love of teaching brought him back to the classroom where he finally retired in 2012 from Ripley High School.
John loved spending time with his family including his children David and Michele Sims of Owasso and Derek and Shaunda Sims of Fountain, CO.
He had a very special place in his heart for his three grandchildren Vince Sims and John Sims of Owasso and Ally Sims of Fountain, CO.
John is also survived by his brother- in-law and sister-in-law: Tom and Judi Martin of Scottsdale, AZ, his sister-in-law and brother-inlaw: Sally and Ray Ewen of Cushing, brother-in-law: Glen Coleman of Hinton, his aunt Carol Conway of Shawnee and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews as well as several close friends, including his roommate and close friend, Alfredo Rojas. John was preceded in death by his beloved wife, his mother and father, John Lewis Sims; his brother and and sister-inlaw: Lewis and Bonnie Sims; sister Donna Coleman, brothers-inlaw Jim Martin and Henry “Hank” Martin.
Arrangements are under the direction of Palmer Marler Funeral Home in Cushing with burial at the Lutheran Cemetery south of Cushing.
