Funeral services for Thomas "Tom" Frederick Sims, age 71, of Lodgepole, SD will be on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the Centennial Chapel (formerly the First Congregational Church) in Hettinger, ND. Rev. Judy Banwart will officiate and burial with Full Military Honors will be at the Hettinger Cemetery. Visitations will be from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Centennial Chapel on Tuesday, Nov. 22 and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday morning.


Thomas "Tom" Frederick Sims entered into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Sunday November 13, 2011.


Tom was born on October 1, 1940, to Frederick and Ethel Irene (Scritchfield) Sims in Casper, WY. He graduated from Natrona County High School, Casper WY in 1959. Before graduation he received the Eagle Scout Award. He served in the US Navy from 1959 to 1963, as a radio operator. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy he returned to Casper, WY. He was married to Diana DeCroo and to this union three children were born, Andrew, Kristina and Blaise.


He worked at First Interstate Bank as a computer programmer. After leaving First Interstate Bank he went to work for Steiner Laundry and Linen Corporation as a salesman. He received many awards for sales while at Steiner Corporation.


He met Connie in Casper and they were married in Las Vegas, NV. To this union, Connie brought two boys, Tony and Mike, into the family. After the children graduated from school, they moved back to Connie's family home.


Tom enjoyed many happy occasions with his family, stories to numerous to relate. He had many hobbies, computer programming, photography, hunting and fishing in the Bighorns, Beartooth and Snowy Range areas of WY. After retiring he had a catering business, The Smokehouse, where he created smoked meats and other delicious specialties. One of his greatest joys was to taste a product and then try to duplicate it. His grandchildren always looked forward visiting and having "McSims" Canadian bacon breakfast sandwiches. All his of family and friends looked forward to dinners and holidays at Tom and Connies.


He was a member of the American Legion.


He is survived by his wife, Connie; his children, Andrew, Tony(Angela), Kristina, Blaise and Michael; his brother, Robert and wife Jane; sister-in-law Georgia; brothers-in-law, Leo and Debbie Miller, Lane and Kristi Miller; sisters-in-law, Cindy and Roy Aafedt and Deb Miller; father and mother-in-law, Bud and Shirley Miller; his grandchildren, who were his pride and joy, Danielle, Spencer, Josh, Kerstin and Blake; nieces, Lauren(Tim) Smith, Robin (Chris) Forte, Liz (Tommy) Marnell, Leslie Dawn (Brandon) Flaherty, Heidi (Scott) Moore; nephew Kenny (Regina) Patterson; and many friends and neighbors.


Those that Tom is joining in heaven are his infant children, Charles, Joseph, Tabitha and Philothea; his parents; maternal and paternal grandparents; his brother, William (Bill) Sims; brother-in-law, Lauren Miller; and nephew, Charles Patterson.


Memorial donations can be made to the Hettinger Food Bank or the American Cancer Society.