Harry Arthur Simms Jr.

Harry is survived by his wife Sumako to whom he was married 58 years, his three children, daughter Barbara Kilian and husband John, son Kenneth Simms, and daughter Miya Smith and husband Kevin; four grandchildren, Theresa and James Kilian, and Eric and Jason Smith.

While stationed in Japan in 1955, he met the love of his life, Sumako, married her 1957 and for 11 years, they lived and raised a family there. In 1970, he brought his family to the U.S. to live and work in northern Virginia/Washington DC metro area.

He dedicated much of his life to serving our country for over 30 years through both military and civil service. His distinguished career included both active duty service in the Air Force for 2 years and many years in the Air Force Reserve where he retired as a full Colonel while stationed at the Pentagon. He also spent many years as a civil servant at the US Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, DC and retired there as a Section Chief of the Grants Management Office.

He is fondly remembered by family and friends as someone who enjoyed telling amazing stories and making people laugh. He loved reading poetry and literature and was known for his ability to recite poems and fairy tales with such dramatic flair that his children were just captivated by his spell.

Funeral services for Harry will be held at St. John the Evangelist Church 11 a.m. on Friday, May 8, 2015. Harry will be laid to rest at the Florida Memorial Gardens, Rockledge, FL.