Fletcher was a faithful man who loved the Lord and loved his family. He was gentle, humble, put others before himself and he will be remembered as a kind and forgiving father, quick-witted jokester of a friend, and a man who brought joy to others. For 54 years, he was married to the love of his life, Nancy Zeiser Sims whom he called, “my heartbeat, my friend, advisor and lover; God’s special blessing to me.”
Born July 19, 1947 to Thomas Fletcher Sims, Jr. and Doris Jewel Sims, Fletcher was a life-long Chattanoogan. He attended the McCallie School, where he held the record in pole vaulting and went on to attend Florida State University and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Fletcher served his nation as a combat Army officer in the Republic of South Vietnam. For over a decade, he was owner and President of Lookout Sporting Goods. He later served as an investment advisor for AXA Equitable and as Chief Financial Officer for two local non-profits. He was an active member of Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, and Fletcher gave his time fully and freely to organizations he cherished including: Gideons International, Chattanooga Prison Ministries, where he served on the Board, and Choices Pregnancy Resource Center.
He is survived by his wife Nancy, three daughters and one son: Lynn (Shellie) Smith of Lookout Mountain, Georgia, Matthew Kirk Sims of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Christy Ann Sims of Missoula, Montana and Ellen Zeiser Sims of Madison, Wisconsin. He is also survived by a brother, James Robert Sims of Chattanooga and a sister, Margaret Sims Trainer of Knoxville as well as extended family and a host of wonderful friends.
A Celebration of Fletcher’s Life will be held graveside in the Chattanooga National Cemetery on Thursday June 24, 2021 at 10:30 am with full military honors being rendered by the VVA Chapter 203. Following the committal there will be a memorial service held at Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, 6125 James Blvd, Signal Mountain, TN 37377, at 2 pm with a visitation to follow.
The family would like to thank Dr. John Daniel Stanley, Dr. Paul Cornea and the nursing staff of Memorial 5th Floor South, Memorial Home Health and Signal Mtn. Presbyterian Church for their love.
Memorial contributions may be made to in lieu of flowers to Gideons International: P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800.
Arrangements are under the care of Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory and Florist East Chapel, 404 South Moore Rd. East Ridge, TN 37412.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com
