Junior Sims

Junior D. Sims, Sr. 84, of Pace, Florida passed away February 9, 2023.  He was born November 15, 1938 in Checotah, Oklahoma; the middle son of the late Oscar and Maggie Sims.  Shortly after Juniors birth, the Sims family moved to Sweetwater, Texas where he grew up in a small town atmosphere.

In August 1957, Junior joined the Navy and served aboard several ships.  He was discharged in August of 1961.  At this time he returned to Sweetwater where he worked for the water department, fought and coached Golden Glove boxing, winning many team and individual trophies.  In July 1966, Junior joined the Naval Construction Forces with the conviction that the Seabees was his best career choice.

During his 28 years of US Naval Service, he successfully met the challenges and demands of a wide variety of assignments and tours of duty including Recruit Training Center, San Diego, California; USS Philippine Sea, CVS-47; USS Ranger, CVA-61; USS Bennington, CVS-20; Fleet Air Wing 14, North Island, California; U.S. Naval Support Activity Detachment TAN MY, Republic of Vietnam; U.S. Naval Station, Rota, Spain; Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 40; Naval Air Station, Dallas; U.S. Naval Facility, Grand Turk Island, Bahamas; Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133; Naval Recruit Training Command, Orlando, Florida; Naval Air Station, Sigonella, Sicily; U.S. Naval Facility, Bermuda; and Naval Education and Training Program Management Support Activity, Pensacola.

For his dedication and outstanding performance, he has been awarded four Navy Achievement Medals, seven Good Conduct Medals, three Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbons, the navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medals, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Comat Action Ribbon, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Battle Efficiency “E” Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with five deployment stars, Expert Rifle and expert Pistol Ribbons.