Frederick Simms

Frederick Emory Simms

Asheville - Frederick (Fred) Simms unexpectedly became ill and died peacefully, surrounded by family and dear friends, on December 16, 2013 at Mission Hospital. He was born and lived in St. Louis, MO before moving to the Asheville area with wife, Jackie, in 1990.

After attending Yale University and serving a tour of duty in the United States Air Force, he returned to St. Louis, worked in technical education and as a Negotiations & Sales Engineer and received an electrical engineering degree from Washington University. He and wife, Jackie, moved to Asheville when Westinghouse Electric Corporation transferred him in 1990. He continued this line of work at Cutler-Hammer and Eaton Corporation.

After retiring from Eaton in 2004, Fred increased volunteer activities. He served on the board and various committees of, both, United Way and Building Bridges of Asheville, Inc. He was a member of Asheville Yale Association, on community advisory groups for Green Opportunities and Mission Health's Diversity Committee.

He is predeceased by parents, Margaret and Frederick T. Simms; a younger brother, William "Bill" Simms; an uncle. Ernest Simms; and an aunt, Constance Green.

Surviving him are his wife, Jacquelyn Simms; daughter, Charis Simms; sister, Margaret C. Simms (Charles Betsey) of Washington, DC; brother-in-law, Arthur C. Shropshire, Jr.; nieces, Lisa West (Kim West) and Michelle Simms and great nephew, Andre Simms of CA; cousins, Marsha Simms of NYC and Phillip, Kellie and Kameron Simms of Mobile, AL; and numerous dear friends.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 15th, 1 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to ABIPA at www.abipa.org; Building Bridges of Asheville, Inc. at www.buildingbridges-ashevillenc.org; or Green Opportunities at www.greenopportunities.org.