Jim Sims

James "Jim" Robert Sims, 87, passed away on March 13, 2026, at Charter Senior Living of Chattanooga. Born on August 26, 1938, to Thomas Fletcher Sims, Jr. and Doris Jewell Sims, Jim was a lifelong resident of Chattanooga who loved God, country, and family above all.

Following in his father's footsteps, Jim attended the McCallie School, where he was co-captain of the football team and received the Coaches' Athletic Trophy during his senior year. He went on to study and play football at the Georgia Institute of Technology and later Tennessee Tech University, where he earned a degree in Business.

Jim proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, spending two years on active duty in Germany and an additional six years in the Tennessee National Guard as a member of the 287th Armored Cavalry Regiment, attaining the rank of First Lieutenant.

After completing his military service, Jim returned home to Chattanooga and built a long career in sales. A natural salesman from an early age-when he sold newspapers and Christmas cards door-to-door-his professional pursuits included working in the family business, Lookout Sporting Goods; drafting equipment and supplies at Mid-South Blueprinting; life insurance with New York Life; office furniture sales with Inner Space Systems and later Office Coordinators, Inc.; and finally serving as the "Loan Arranger" at Mortgage South, Inc. Throughout his life he was also active in the community, participating in the Signal Mountain Jaycees and the Signal Mountain Lions Club.

Outside of work, Jim remained deeply devoted to sports. He served as a TSSAA high school football and basketball referee for more than 15 years, coached Signal Mountain Youth Baseball, and coached pole vaulting at the McCallie School. He also enjoyed playing in the Signal Mountain Tennis League. Above all, he was a devoted supporter of his children's and grandchildren's athletics and rarely missed a game, traveling wherever necessary to cheer them on.

Jim also loved music and faithfully sang in the choir at Red Bank Baptist Church, where he was a longtime member.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy (Stilwill) Sims; his children, Jeffrey Thomas Sims (Cheryl) of Signal Mountain, Tennessee, and Jennifer Sims Dunn (Alan) of Woodbury, Georgia; his sister, Margaret Sims Trainer (Fred) of Knoxville; his sister-in-law, Nancy Zeiser Sims; his daughter-in-law, Tammy LeQuire Sims; his grandchildren: Summer Crye Key (Jake), Bradley Wallace (Alistia), Fletcher Sims (Hannah), Emma Jane Jansen (Joseph), Molly Anzalone (Joshua), Brady Sims, Madeline Bunch (Walker), Chance Sims, and Ryan Sims; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Thomas Fletcher Sims, III and Fletcher Watson Sims; and his son, Jonathan Wade Sims.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated caregivers at Charter Senior Living and Hearth Hospice for the compassion and dignity they provided during Jim's final weeks. Their kindness and professionalism brought great comfort to him and to his family.

Jim will be interred in Chattanooga National Cemetery. The family will conduct a private Celebration of Life at a later date.

Arrangements entrusted to Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, TN 37415, 423-877-3524, lanefh.com