James Alan Simms

James graduated from Merced High School, Merced Junior College, and received a Bachelor’s degree from Cal State University Fresno. He started Fresno State with the Omega pledge class of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity for Ag students in 1974. Jim was the life of the party in college from biting the wall at the Matador, teaching country swing dancing and the beginning of the age of Disco. While there was always a good time when he was around Jim took the brotherhood aspect of fraternity life seriously. If you ate an AGR, a Little Sister, or a Rho Mate, Jim was your brother for life. He was involved in raising livestock his entire life and demonstrated his skill in selecting the best of the herd as a member of the Fresno State National Champion Dairy Judging team in 1976.

After graduating he spent several years continuing to enjoy the company of his fellow Merced AGR alumni at monthly poker games that often ended with snacks at his parent’s home. He worked as a Banker for over 15 years at Bank of America and County Bank servicing the needs of farmers and dairymen through the County. His customers loved him and he brought a kind spirit and sense of humor to brighten the day of everyone he came in contract with in a business that is often way too serious. After leaving banking he settled into a career with the Merced County Ag Commissioners Office where he served until his final day. Again he made more lifelong friends, took the early morning inspection assignments and volunteered for weekend duty on almost every Holiday so his fellow employees could spend that time with their families.

He liked to hunt but hasn’t killed a buck in 15 years but always looked forward to the few days a year spend away from home to swap stories around a campfire with friends. Jim was a faithful member of his church singing in the choir and serving in whatever capacity was requested. He managed the horticulture and floriculture divisions of the Merced County Fair for many years in an effort to make sure that people with those interests felt part of that community event.

Jim’s passion in life was his animals and reaching out to the youth of Merced County getting them involved in 4-H and FFA projects. Anyone who has been involved in a small scale livestock operation knows he didn’t do it for the money. He did it for the kids serving as a leader of St. Anthony’s 4-H for over 10 years before stepping aside to be a breeder of lambs and goats and a coach and counselor to anyone he provided animals too.

Jim was a simple man. He did not measure his success in life by the amount of his possessions but by number of his friends and the happiness he could bring into their lives. He went to work, he went to church, and he cared for his animals and his friends. That was Jim.

Jim never married but he had a lot of kids including a dozen or so young men he hosted as foreign exchange students, many of whom stayed in contact with him from around the world. Hundreds of 4-H and FFA youth to whom he provided guidance and in particular four to whom he acted as a second father for their entire lives-Daniel, Allison, Kristen, and Natalie Collins of Merced, California.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Wilda M. Simms and father, James M. Simms. He is survived by his brother, David M. Simms and sister, Robernette B. Simms.

God took Jim home in the middle of a corral doing what he loved, caring for his flock. He was a good Sheppard and will be dearly missed.

A visitation will be held on Monday, August 18, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Apostolic Tabernacle, 2745 Hwy 140, Merced, California. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 19, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the Apostolic Tabernacle. Burial will follow at Merced District Cemetery in Merced, California.

Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.