Robert Larry Sims

Larry was born on March 4, 1950, in Gadsden, Alabama. He carried a lifelong reputation for being a leader, a loving husband and father, a kind and selfless friend, and the family jokester.

In 1970, Larry married Sherry Sims. They shared 27 years together and raised two children, Chris Sims and Leisa Lunsford, until Sherry’s passing in 1997. In 2002, Larry married Jackie Sims, his devoted wife of 23 years.

After retiring from Goodyear, Larry and Jackie moved to the beach, but he continued building businesses. Larry loved life, his family, New Orleans, Mardi Gras, and Jimmy Buffett. He and Jackie enjoyed traveling, including their trips to Cuba, Hawaii, and the Dominican Republic. Even though he did not like the weather and always returned home with a cold, he looked forward to their annual trip to Ohio for the Christmas holidays. He also loved riding his golf cart through the neighborhood, stopping to visit friends and neighbors, and especially enjoyed the phone calls and visits with his lifelong friend, John Graham.

To his 15 grandchildren, he was simply “Pawpaw,” a role he cherished deeply.

Larry was preceded in death by his father, Robert Lee Sims; his mother, Margaret Sims; his late wife, Sherry Sims; and his grandson, Pierce Lunsford.

Larry is survived by his wife, Jackie Sims; his children, Chris (Tonja) Sims and Leisa (Tim) Lunsford; his stepchildren, Gary (Rebecca) Brown, Lesli (John) Fowler, and Lindsay (Bobby) Brown; his brother, Kenneth (Donna) Sims; and his 15 grandchildren. He will be so deeply missed by his family and numerous friends around the country.

Funeral services will be held on January 28, 2026, at Collier Butler Funeral Home, 824 Rainbow Drive, Gadsden, Alabama 35901. Friends may gather from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Collier Butler, followed by a graveside service at 11:30 a.m. at Crestwood Cemetery. Guests are invited to wear beach attire, if they desire, to honor Larry’s relaxed and joyful attitude toward life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Navarre Beach Fire Department, with “Larry” in the comment line, 1413 Utility Drive, Navarre, FL 32566 or Venmo @navarrebeachfire .