Gary Allen Sims Jr., 62, of Salisbury, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center.
Born Sept. 17, 1960, in Cabarrus County, he was the son of Ada Fink Sims and the late Gary Allen Sims Sr. Gary graduated from Concord High School’s Class of 1978, where he played football and baseball and from Davidson College’s Class of 1982. He played football at Davidson and was proud to be a Wildcat. He began his career as a teacher at Concord Middle School and serving a few other schools. He later worked for the NCDMV as a driver education specialist and retired as supervisor.
Following his retirement, he worked in the TMU Unit at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center and was an on-campus transportation driver at UNC Charlotte.
Gary loved his family, watching his nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews play sports. He loved watching sports on TV and playing golf. Gary also loved going to the beach with Lisa for special getaways. He was an Eagle Scout and taught himself to play the bass guitar and serve on the Praise Band at Salem Lutheran Church.
Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 39 years, Lisa Vanderford Sims; mother, Ada Fink Sims; sister, Donna Sims; cousin, Jeff Bowling; mother-in-law, JoAnn V. Alessandrini; two sisters-in-law, Judy (Kenny) Jones and Linda (Brian) Corcoran; nieces and nephews, Natalie Morgan, Wesley (Meredith) Jones, Anna (Zeb) Winslow; Brianna Corocran and Erin Corcoran, and Chrissy (Marshall) Braden, Katie (Vince) Ewell; and 10 great-nieces and -nephews.
The family will receive friends Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., at He’s Alive Church, 1310 N Cannon Blvd. in Kannapolis. The celebration of life service will begin at 11 a.m., in the church sanctuary, with Pastor Bill Coleman and Pastor Doug Hardin officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231.