Jerry Sims: Arrangements

Dear reader, I made contact with Mike Sims, Jerry's son, who graciously passed on these arrangements...

Visitation Tuesday, August 9, 2011, 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Roller-Chenal Funeral Home and the funeral service will be at the First Baptist Church of Maumelle, Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 10:00 AM:

http://www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/services.asp?locid=17&page=odetail&id=24793

"Jerry Michael Sims

October 23, 1942 - August 7, 2011

Jerry Michael Sims, 68, of Maumelle died Sunday, August 7, 2011. He was born October 23, 1942 in Little Rock, and was the son of the late G. K. and Mertie Thompson Sims. He was best known as the on air radio personality, Sonny Martin at KXLR, KARK, and KAAY. He then worked in television at KATV and KTHV as an announcer, reporter, and weatherman; then in advertising sales. After that, he worked as an advertising buyer for Hanks Fine Furniture.

For many years he was very active in Seniors Softball Tournaments Nationally with various teams and leagues throughout the state of Arkansas. He was inducted into the Arkansas Men’s Softball Hall of Fame on July 2, 2011, following his daughter’s induction into the Arkansas Women’s Softball Hall of Fame the previous year.

He was a member of First Baptist Church of Maumelle.

He is survived by his wife, Leslie Hays Sims; four sons, Mike Sims (Abby) of Bryant, Matthew Gunn of Fayetteville, Patrick Gunn and fiancée, Natalie Brannan of Maumelle and Kyle Gunn of Fayetteville; a daughter, Karen Sims of Denver, Colorado; a grandchild, Mia Sims; a sister, Jackie Craft (Ben) of Benton; a nephew, David Craft (Cindy) of Little Rock and niece, Melanie Cook (Kevin) of Huntsville, Texas.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home (501)224-8300.

The funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 10, at First Baptist Church of Maumelle with Reverend Johnny Jackson officiating. Interment will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be: Steve McNeil, Eddie Glover, Don Harris, Harlan Jensen, Bill Reed, and Don Haney. Honorary pallbearers will be: Milton Raabe, Bob Wooden, Carlie Brown, Fred Bedford, Aaron Summey, Dick Sippel and Jim Bodge.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arkansas Men’s Softball Hall of Fame, 2506 Margaret Circle, Conway, Arkansas 72034 or the Maumelle Friends of Animals, P. O. Box 13061, Maumelle, Arkansas 72113."

Thank you, Mike...all of us send our best regards at this time.

Bud Stacey, staceys4@hotmail.com