Harold H. Sims

Lt. Col. Harold H. "Hal" Sims, USAF Ret. passed away August 16, 2002 at his home in Windcrest, TX, with his wife of 58 years, Sybil, by his side. Harold Hilson Sims was born in Georgiana, AL, one of seven children, to Charles Lee Sims and Maude Carlene Sims, all of whom have preceded him in death. He was also the grandson of the late Rev. Alexander Theodore Sims and his wife, Sarah Nancy Audelia Hilson Sims, and James M. Sims CSA and his wife, Frances Vinson Sims, all of Butler Co., AL. He lived in Montgomery, AL for several years as a young man and artist before entering the Army Air Corps in 1941. He was a gifted and accomplished artist, as well as a career veteran, and as a young flyer was honored to have a "one-man" showing of his paintings at the Smithsonian Institution National Air Museum in 1953. Other one-man exhibitions have been held at the Gallerie Allard in Paris, France; the Museum of Fine Arts in Montgomery, AL, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Dallas, TX. He proudly served in World War II and in Korea. While serving as Master Navigator for MATS, during the Berlin Airlift under Gen. Tunner, he was instrumental in producing designs, illustrations and presentations used during and documenting the airlift operations. He was also Deputy Commander of the west coast Photographic Laboratories, as well as facilities designer of MATS terminals and MATS line aircraft all over the world. Lt. Col Sims was honored with the distinguished "Legion of Merit Award" for his outstanding contributions to the military upon his retirement in 1969. After his retirement from the military, he devoted hi life to his family and pursued his lifelong passion for painting and succeeded as a highly regarded watercolor artist. He is survived by his wife, Sybil Bradberry Sims; his daughter, Cynthia Anne Sims Kirkland, and her husband, Daniel, of Terrell, TX; his son, Harold H. Sims, Jr. and his wife, Marcia, of Austin, TX; and his daughter, Suzanne Sims Baker of San Antonio, TX. He is also survived by his granddaughter, Jennifer Dyan Baker; his grandson, James O'Neal Baker, both of San Antonio, TX; and his granddaughter, Kimberly Millan Dabboussi, and her husband, Nader, and his great granddaughter, Dawson Amelia Dabboussi, all of Lewisville, TX. Lt. Col Sims leaves in Montgomery, AL, his sister-in-law, Mrs. Carlton Sims; his nephew, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Sims, and their children, Carlton and Elizabeth; and his nephew Mr. and Mrs. Lee Sims, and their daughters, Lucy and Chandler; his nephew, Mr. and Mrs. Drayton Sims Hamilton, and their young son, David; and his niece, Becky Sims White.