Sims Edward Duggins

Sims Edward Duggins was born to Sims Dennis Duggins and Sharon Maureen Johnson Duggins on March 9, 1961, in El Paso, TX, at Providence Memorial Hospital. They moved to Taylorsville, UT, in 1966, where he spent the rest of his childhood.

Sims was an avid learner and had a lifelong fascination with science, weather, and outer space. He was a member of the National Honor Society, the Math and Science Club, and the Chess Club. He loved participating in Boy Scouts and earned the highest rank of Eagle Scout at 14 years old. He also found joy in music. As a gifted violinist, Sims proudly served as Concertmaster in his high school orchestra. He also sang with the Concert Choir in high school and later performed with a Fort Collins group called the Choice City Singers.

Sims met his best friend, Tracy Trottier, in 9th grade, and their friendship lasted a lifetime. The bond between these two friends was so strong that their children grew up considering themselves cousins. Tracy and his wife, Tammy, were lovingly known as Uncle Tracy and Aunt Tammy.

Sims graduated with honors from Kearns High School in Kearns, UT, in 1979. He was a Science Sterling Scholar Finalist and was named Most Outstanding Senior Boy. He attended Brigham Young University for two semesters from 1979 to 1980. He then served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Geneva, Switzerland, from 1980 to 1982. Upon his return, he completed his college education at the University of Utah from 1983 to 1986, earning a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology and a minor in mathematics.

Sims married Judlein Williams, whom he had known since 8th grade, on January 7, 1983, in Salt Lake City, UT. They moved to Fort Collins, CO, in 1986, where they raised their four children—Crystal, Chantal, Holly, and Benjamin.

The most important things to Sims were his family and his faith. He cherished being “Papa” to 10 biological grandchildren and “Grandpa Sims” to nine step-grandchildren, all of whom adored him in return.

He adopted the phrase “Courage, for the Lord is on our side” as the Duggins family motto and reminded his kids to draw strength from it, especially during hard times. This quote by M. Russell Ballard reflected his outlook on life: “What matters most is what lasts longest, and our families are for eternity.”

Sims spent his entire career in the oil and gas industry, specializing in regulatory and air quality compliance. He took frequent business trips to Anchorage, AK, before relocating there in 2021 to work as a Senior Principal Consultant for SLR International Corporation.

Sims and Judlein divorced amicably in 2020 after 37 years of marriage. Sims found love again and married Jennie Bartell on November 19, 2022, in Taylorsville, UT. He loved her “with every fiber of his being,” a phrase he said often, and left her notes around the house with sentiments of his adoration; notes like, “Jennie—you are everything I prayed for!” and “Every moment we share makes my world brighter!!”

Sims passed away on January 23, 2026, in Anchorage, AK, at Providence Medical Center, as a result of injuries sustained in a fall. He was 64 years old. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the compassionate doctors, nurses, and organ donation team who helped ease his passing and provided comfort during a difficult time.

Sims was preceded in death by his father, Sims D. Duggins (2013), and his brother, Joel Duggins (2009). Sims is survived by his mother, Sharon Duggins; his wife, Jennie Duggins, and her children Jen Collins and Amanda Ramirez (Russell); his children Crystal Browning (Brendon), Chantal Koenig (Ryan), Holly Meehleis (Garrett), and Benjamin Duggins (Sarah), and their mother, Judlein Duggins; his sister, Sharon Fowler (Phillip); his sister-in-law, Jill Duggins; 10 grandchildren: Brielle, Aislynn, Zander, Eviana, Maya, Brianna, Dallin, Lydia, Clarice, and Gianna; and nine step-grandchildren: Shawn, Patience, Noah, Hope, Promise, Russell, Collin, Emmy, and Lucas.

Services will be held in both Anchorage and Fort Collins.

The Anchorage service will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 11701 Puma Street, Anchorage, AK 99515. There will be a viewing at 1:00 PM followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM. All those who knew and loved Sims are welcome to attend.

The Fort Collins service will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 600 E Swallow Road, Fort Collins, CO 80525. There will be a viewing from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM. Friends and family are warmly invited to attend.