Bruce Wayne Sims

Bruce Wayne Sims, a loving husband, father and friend went to be with the Lord peacefully at the age of 82 on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at Methodist Mansfield Medical Center in Mansfield, Texas. Born on September 2, 1941 in Lepanto, Arkansas to Bruce and Edith Strickland Sims, Wayne brought joy and laughter to the lives of those around him.

 

Wayne grew up in Crossett, Arkansas where he spent many summers working for the paper mill there in town. He graduated from Crossett High School in 1959. After high school he attended Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas where he graduated in 1964 with a Bachelor in Secondary Education in Physical Education.  He went on to receive his Master’s in Education Administration at Memphis State University.  Wayne began work for West Memphis School District as a Junior High basketball coach.  He held many different positions within the school district there for 18 years such as high school basketball coach, Superintendent as well as Business Administrator. Wayne’s heart was with the students, so he left the business side in 1982 and joined his college roommate, Wayne Haver, at Southside High School where he worked for 21 years as Assistant Principal. Wayne retired in 2003 after 39 years in Education.  He was a member of West Memphis Baptist Church and served there as a deacon.   When Wayne and Kay moved to Fort Smith they joined Grand Avenue Baptist Church where he served as a deacon as well as on the Board of Overseers.  When Wayne wasn’t at a school function you could more than likely find him on the golf course or driving range.

 

Above all else, Wayne was a devoted husband to his late wife, Kay Moore Sims  from Hughes, Arkansas.  They married on December 28, 1964 and were happily married for 58 years. Wayne spent the last 10 years selflessly caring for Kay who had Dementia before she passed in May.  He has longed to be with her since the day she left for heaven. 

 

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Bruce and Edith Sims as well as his beloved wife, Kay.

 

Wayne is survived by his son, Greg Sims and Daughter in Law, Shey, along with two grandchildren, Casey and Josiah, all of Cordova, Tennessee; daughter, Shannon Sims Mints and Son in Law, Paul, along with two grandchildren, Chandler (wife, Hannah and great grandson, Jack) and Kayleigh Mints all of Mansfield, Texas. 

 

A visitation will be held at Jones Funeral Home at 105 W. 3rd. Ave. Crossett, Arkansas 71635 at 1pm, Saturday, November 18, 2023.  Funeral service will follow at the chapel at 2pm at the funeral home.  Wayne will be laid to rest at Pinewood Memorial Park Cemetery.

 

In memory of Wayne, the family requests memorial donations be made to TCAL Church at 3810 Hadley Lane, Mansfield, TX 76084.  Wayne loved to help those in need and they will use this to further his memory in this way.

 

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Legacy Oaks of Midlothian for the incredible care they extended to our father and family during this time.

 

Psalms 34:18  “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”