Charles G. Sims DVM

Charles G. Sims DVM, 88, with his beloved wife Karen, and his inseparable caregiver, Manny, by his side, passed away quietly early Friday morning, December 16, 2016 in his private room at Morning View. The son of the late George Carl Sims and Dora Dorothy Collins Sims and was predeceased by his brother Morris Sims, his best friends, A.B. Dusenbury, Mr. “B”, G.T., Willie Phipps, Harry Wingfield and Flake Shaw.

A service of celebration will be held at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at the Lineberry Center, Hanes-Lineberry Funeral Services, 515 N. Elm St., Greensboro, NC.

Charlie is survived by his wife of 38 years, Karen L. Sims. He is also survived by his daughters, Louisa Ellen Heer and spouse Mark, Harriet Georgianne Sims and friend Gary McMasters, Dorthy Carlyn Sims Ruppert, Heidi Heckel “Sims” Mclaughlin and spouse Will. Charlie is also survived by his son, Scott Heckle and spouse Raina, and surrogate sons Herbert B. Parks and Ken Eiler. In addition Charlie is also survived by grandchildren Chester and Carlton Heer, the children of Scott and Raina, Amanda, Gary and Scottie, and Lars and Hannah Mclaughin. Also, the surrogate grandchildren, Heather Parks Ezrine and Christopher, Jessie, Selena, and Diamond Parks; Kendal Eiler Tomales, Kennan Eiler Hester, and Carter Eiler, as well as the surrogate great grandchild Talia Ezrine.

Charlie was fortunate to have had many wonderful dogs in his life that predeceased him; Pistol, Biscuit, Sunshine, Moe and Max, and survived by Ethel and his constant companion Maggie.

Charlie was born on March 31, 1928 in the Town of Conyers, Rockdale County, Georgia. Upon graduation from the Georgia Military Academy in 1944, he enrolled in Emory University, and transferred to Georgia Tech to study Aeronautical Engineering. In 1945, at the age of 17, Charlie put a pause on his education and joined the US Navy during WWII. He was honorably discharged, with the Victory Medal in 1946. Upon his discharge, he traveled to Honduras by Jeep with his college friend Poncho, and upon his return, he enrolled at The University of Georgia, switching majors to Veterinary Medicine, where he received his D.V.M. degree in 1952. For the next two years Charlie interned and traveled the south to inoculate farmed suids (pigs) and bovines (cows) on a contract with the US Government. In 1954, Charlie moved to Greensboro to set up his large animal, and eventually a general veterinary practice. Over the next 60 years Charlie became the mentor to dozens of young aspiring veterinarians in the greater Greensboro area. He received his final Continuing Education certification in 2012 at the age of 84, and only decided not to do an additional certification in 2013 because “it was time to turn the page.”

Charlie was also a business man, with investments over the years in restaurants, land, apartments, hotels, commercial buildings, textile business, beach property, and investments in people. He believed in a “hand up” and not a “hand out.” He was a principled and highly ethical man.

Charlie’s hobby was life. He traveled the world, with notable trips to Europe, England, South America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Caribbean Islands. He loved music, dancing and smiling. His nickname was “smilie” and always had a mischievous glint in his eye and one of the friendliest smiles in Greensboro.

One of the highlights of his travels was turning 70 twice within 24 hours in 1998 while traveling between the US and Australia. During the flight, the Captain of the flight allow Charlie to fly in the cockpit and push the button to engage the automatic flight system.

You always knew if Charlie had a special feeling for someone by the nicknames he would give them, or generally referring to them as “Capt’n.” He helped spiritually, philosophically, and financially so many that he came in contact with over his 88 years. He was a true Southern Gentleman.

There were so many people that touched Charlie’s life during the last few years but the family wants to especially acknowledge the unfailing devotion of Skip Williams, Dr. Charlie & Wendy Lomax, Manny and Carolyn Mutya.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that a donation be made to Hospice Care Center of Alamance, 914 Chapel Hill Rd., Burlington, NC 27215; or to the Charles G. Sims Foundation for Education, 7 B Corporate Center Court, Greensboro, NC 27408. An anonymous donor has agreed to match all donations to the Foundation.

On line condolences may be made through www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.