Sammy Joe Sims

On Tuesday, April 4, 2023 Sammy Joe Sims, loving husband and father of two, passed away at age 77 surrounded by his family. Sammy was born on October 6, 1945 in Cleburne, TX to Jewel Ezell and Creola Pearl Sims. As a young child Sammy enjoyed riding his horse, Judy, bareback while playing cowboys and Indians. In his teenage years, he could be found hanging out with his friends at the Tejas in Cleburne, TX. Sammy loved to have a great time and was always the life of the party. It was no secret that Sammy made his family proud, but they were extra proud when he served in the Vietnam War as a soldier in the United States Army. After his time in the Army Sammy worked at United Auto Supply for a short while and then began working at Ken's Muffler Shop where he spent 30+ years. Throughout his life Sammy also served as a security guard for the Cedar Hill school district, a Special Education bus driver for the Cedar Hill school district and he also drove a bus for the Cedar Hill Senior Citizens Community Center. Friends set Sammy up on a blind date where he met Helen Birch and fell in love. They were married on June 18, 1971 in Oak Cliff, TX. They welcomed their daughter Tammy Rena on March 27, 1972 and then their son Kelly Don on October 31, 1976. Sammy’s children were his pride and joy. On any given weekend throughout the 70s and 80s you could find Sammy riding dirt bikes with his wife, children, siblings, nieces, and nephews. As Sammy grew older his love of motorcycles continued. He bought a Harley and loved to cruise the streets. In 2013, Sammy found his love of old cars. It was a passion that he and his brother Jacky shared. He bought and restored two classic cars, a 1970 SS Chevelle and a 1963 Impala. Sammy and Jacky along with their wives enjoyed going to many different car shows. He was a member of numerous car clubs where he won various awards for his cars and met many lifelong friends. Sammy loved his grandchildren to the moon and back. He enjoyed going to the family farm in Rio Vista, TX where they would ride the mule around and he would teach the kids to shoot guns. All three grandchildren would agree that their Paw Paw lived to spoil them rotten and share his love of old cars with them by toting them along to car shows. He will always be remembered for his infectious smile, great sense of humor, his kind heart, and his love of family. Sammy was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Peggy Claybrook, Ruth Carper, Bob Sims, Nell Stanley, Sue Walton, and Mickey Sims. He is survived by his wife Helen Sims; children, Tammy Lawhorn and husband Rob, Kelly Sims and girlfriend Jennifer Tran; grandchildren, Taylor Sims, Taryn Sims, and Brent Lawhorn; siblings, Jimmy Sims and wife, Janis, Jacky Sims and wife, Mary Jean; and a host of other nieces, nephews, family, and friends. The family will receive friends at West/Hurtt Funeral Home from 5-7:00 P.M. on Tuesday- April 18, 2023. Funeral Services will be held in the Chapel of West/Hurtt Funeral Home at 11:30 A.M. on Wednesday- April 19, 2023 with Pastor Larry D. Williams, officiating. Interment will follow in the Dallas/ Ft. Worth National Cemetery, Dallas, TX.