James "Jimbo" Simms

September 12th, 1957 – February 16th, 2022

James Mason Simms (a.k.a. Jimbo or Big Jim) passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 16th in Riviera Beach, FL. He was 64 years old.

Jimbo was born into a Navy Family on September 12th, 1957 in Norfolk, VA, traveling to many places in the U.S. and abroad. He attended Kempsville High School in Virginia Beach graduating in 1976 were he was a standout varsity player on the Chiefs football team.

Jimbo graduated in 1981 from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in building construction. He was an active player on the Rugby Club Team and a member of the Cape Henry Falcons Rugby Club in Norfolk Va.

Jim was an avid cyclist often riding 50 miles round trip to work in Sandbridge Beach, VA. Incredibly, he rode from Virginia Beach to Virginia Tech on more than one occasion.

Post-graduation Jim landed in Kitty Hawk, NC to pursue his love for graphic art and surfing. Jimbo’s airbrushing talents graced hundreds of surfboards from such notable Surf Board Companies as Hotline, Wave Riding Vehicles, Hot & Nasty Designs, In the Eye, MB Surfblades and Gale Force Glass.

In later years, Jimbo returned to Virginia Beach to work at Wallpaper Design.

In addition to his love for all things related to surfing and the ocean, Jimbo enjoyed hanging out with his friends and family “Grilling and Chilling”. Our father James T. Simms was a grill master and Jimbo carried on this tradition. His mahogany chicken was legendary!

Jimbo is predeceased by his parents Cdr. James Thomas Simms and Mary Mason Simms of Virginia Beach, VA. He is survived by brothers; Jeff and Diana Simms of Palm Beach Gardens, FL., T. Scott Simms of Hobe Sound FL., and Niece Amy R. Simms and her partner Anthony Gigliotti of West Palm Beach FL. As well as Ross Beeler, a lifelong family friend and considered our “brother from another mother.” He is also survived by his former wife Kelly Whitehurst of Plymouth NC; Cousins, Marie and David Snyder, Shirley Mason Seykot, Sharon Mason Scherfel and their children, Tom Mason, Nancy Mason, Dawn and Annie Mason, all of Deptford, NJ, Robert Underwood of Blacksburg, VA and Chuck Mason of Washington D.C.

Jimbo put the “Big” in big brother, teaching Scott and Jeff how to surf and he made numerous trips to Cape Hatteras with the twins in tow camping out and surfing for days on end. Jimbo or “Big Jim” as he was affectionately called by all his family and friends was a gentle giant. He will be greatly missed by all who had the good fortune to meet him along the road of his incredible life’s journey.

“Here today gone to Maui!”

Quote by Jimbo

A celebration of Jimbo’s life we be held in Virginia Beach/Outer Banks in early Summer