Donald Gene Sims

Donald Gene Sims was born to Gene and Theresa Sims November 20, 1941 in Carlsbad, NM where he grew up and was educated. Don Sims, 79, passed away Thursday, June 17 at his home in Lovington, NM. Funeral services were held there on June 24, 2021. Burial was held at Carlsbad Cemetery.

Don was in the Carlsbad High School class of 1960 and enjoyed their class reunions every five years. Don had an Associate of Arts degree from NMSU and many certificates for special training. He served in the Navy, then worked at Tinker Air Force Base in Moore, OK. After retirement, he returned to Carlsbad where he had time to commit to community and Christian activities. He had a concern for prisoners, so he served in the Bill Glass Prison Ministry and later in the jail and prison ministries in Hobbs and Lovington where he was twice named Volunteer of the Year. Sims also prioritized with volunteer hours veterans’ needs by helping them get the benefits they deserve, driving vets to their appointments, and serving in the Honor Guard. He sold roses for Carlsbad’s Downtown Lions Club as well as placing American flags on patriotic holidays. Sims was active in a Baptist church wherever he lived.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents, his only child Presha Dawn Herdt, her little boy, Robert, and Don’s wives Sue Rudolph Sims and Nell Yeager Sims. Don is survived by his sister, Francene Hoffman, stepdaughters Judy and Tammy Yeager, Bobbie Sue Smith and stepsons Tony and Roy Yeager and their families.