Richard “Dick” Sims, 91, passed away Friday, Feb. 14, in Provo, Utah. He was born in Almy, just outside of Evanston, on March 1, 1933, the son of George and Mary Estella (Nixon) Sims.
His first six years of school were in a little two-room grade school. He attended junior and senior high school in Evanston. Following high school, he attended the University of Wyoming. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture economics.
He met Charlsie Stevens at the university, and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple and returned to the family ranch.
Through the years, Dick increased the size of the ranch from six milk cows to 3,000 head of beef cattle. He always enjoyed being an entrepreneur and owned several other businesses, including Wyoming Downs, a purebred horse racing facility.
Dick had a successful banking career. He was elected to serve on the Utah Farm Credit Bank board in Salt Lake City, director on the District Farm Credit Bank in Sacramento, California, and as a member of the Advisory Committee to the National Farm Credit Bank in Washington, D.C.
In 1995, Dick retired, and he and Charlsie moved to Salt Lake City. They served a humanitarian mission in Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia. Upon returning home from Africa, they were called to serve as “short-term” missionaries in India, Sri Lanka, DR Congo, and Haiti. They later moved to Gilbert, Arizona, and lived there for 17 years before moving to Jamestown Assisted Living Center.
Throughout Dick’s life, he had the opportunity to serve in leadership positions in church, community and business. Dick’s recent loss of hearing took away his first love of life — visiting, influencing people and making friends.
Dick and Charlsie celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in August.
Dick is survived by his wife, Charlsie; daughters, Linda (Art) Heikkila, Julie (Derry) Brinley and Kathleen (Bob) Draper; 14 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren.
His parents and a daughter, Marcia Sims, preceded him in death.
Viewing will be held at Crandall Funeral Home, Friday, Feb. 28, from 2 to 2:45 p.m. Graveside services will follow at 3 p.m. at the Evanston City Cemetery.
A celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, at Courtyard at Jamestown Assisted Living, 3352 N. 100 East, Provo, Utah.
