Michael Edward Sims

1946 - 2024

Michael Edward Sims passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and loved ones, on June 2, 2024, at the age of 77 following a four-year struggle with ALS. He is survived by his wife Kathleen Nelson, daughters Sunny Sims, Christina Malamut (Jim), and Luisa Sims, granddaughter Sophia Malamut, his sisters Kathleen Trad (Joseph), Mary Ellen Wybenga, and Laura Duffy, brother Richard Sims (Kimball), and former wife Mary Kay Sims. Michael was preceded in death by his father William H. Sims, mother Betty Ann Sims, brothers Thomas Sims and William Sims, Jr. and sisters Marian Walsh and Elizabeth Curcio.

Michael graduated from Vianney High School in St. Louis in 1964 and Georgetown University in 1968 with a degree in economics. After graduating college, he served three years in the U.S. Army as the Vietnam war ended.

Following his military service, he began a twenty-five-year career in commercial real estate management, first running his family's business and then as the Director of Facilities for the University of Missouri, St. Louis. He then joined Johnson Controls Inc. (JCI) in 1998. He retired in 2012 following a lead management position on a four-year project for JCI at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California for which he received company awards for his outstanding performance. He continued to advise JCI and its clients as a consultant until 2022.

Michael was devoted to his daughters and was thrilled at the arrival of his granddaughter Sophia, three years ago. He was an avid pilot and loved flying, having shared some notable aviation adventures with his fellow pilots, cousin Jim Holton and Tony Kirk, both dearly departed lifelong friends. He enjoyed hiking and daily telephone calls with his best friend and former officemate, Bob Senoff. He cherished his annual summer trips to northern Michigan with a group of his close friends.

In addition to his professional life, Michael enjoyed giving time to his community, helping others and supporting his alma mater. He was a member of the Vestry and outreach ministries at his Church of St. Michael and St. George. He volunteered with St. Louis University's College Church outreach programs. As a friend of Bill W., he helped and mentored many. He was a past president of the Georgetown Alumni Club of St. Louis.

With the support of many friends and family, Michael confronted his four-year struggle with ALS with grace and dignity. He put forth a warm, calm and positive spirit, always ready to listen with interest and care for the well-being of others despite his own struggle.

A memorial service will be held Friday, June 21, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at The Church of St. Michael and St. George, 6345 Wydown Boulevard, at Ellenwood Avenue, Clayton, Missouri. There will be a reception in the Great Hall at the church immediately following the service. `Street parking is available along Ellenwood Avenue and Wydown Boulevard.

Please honor Michael's memory and legacy by paying forward an act of kindness. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the ALS Association by check (PO Box 37022, Boone, IA 50037-please write St. Louis Regional Chapter in the memo line) or online (als.org).