Jack Sims

Jack was born in Levelland and raised near Eagle Pass, in Quemado. After graduation from high school, he moved back to West Texas to work in the oil fields. This is where he met his future wife, Shirley, whom he would marry on February 15, 1951. During high school, he was well known for his love of cattle, and he would be known as “Cowboy” throughout his life among family and friends in Quemado.

Jack later attended GI training Granger, Texas. After serving in the Korean War, he returned to the Granger area to invest in land for a cattle ranch. Though he worked for ALCOA in Rockdale for 38 years, his love for ranching was sustained his whole life. One of the high points of his ranching was when he was recognized as Rancher of the Year in Williamson County. Jack had two full time careers, and worked tirelessly at both.

Jack was still involved in ranching until earlier this year, when his dementia disease progressed to the point where he needed around the clock support.

Family was very important to Jack. He physically built his parents’ home in Quemado, which he still owned until his own death. He always spoke fondly of his older sister, who died at 13 years of age, and missed her dearly. Jack’s own family were raised with strong Christian values as members of the Church of Christ. And the family worked on the ranch, especially during the early years, while he also worked at ALCOA.

Jack also had a very subtle sense of humor. He didn’t tell many jokes, but when he did, it was usually a really good one. One example is when he announced to the family that he didn’t believe that Americans ever went to the moon. Keep in mind that dad told this joke in the late 1970s and it would still be another two years or so before Scientific American would print an article discussing this very issue. Twitter and social media didn’t exist yet.

Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Sims, and his sister, Bobbie Sims.

Jack is survived by his children, Elizabeth Wood and husband Stephen, Karen Sessums, and Jack C. Sims; his grandchildren Amanda Burbidge and husband David Burbidge, Coleman Sessums and Ashley Craig, and Travis Sessums; his great-grandchild, Brinley Burbidge; and Lakota Craig and Paisley Craig.

Visitation will be held on Monday September 3, 2018 from 5pm-7pm at Condra Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday September 4, 2018 at 10 am at Condra Funeral Home. The family will have a private burial service at a later date.