Gary Sims

     Gary Sims, 78, of Chillicothe, left us at 2:24 p.m. on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 in the Adena Regional Medical Center, following a full life.

     He was born March 11, 1943, in Ross County, to the late Dana (Joe) and Nellie Sims.

     Gary served in the United States Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis and when his term of service was completed, he returned to Chillicothe and worked at Alcoa Aluminum for a while, but he soon grew restless, and in the words of his favorite poet, Robert Service, ‘I must go a-wandering’.

     There is hardly anyone who knew Gary who doesn’t have a funny, off-beat story to tell about the time that – fill in the blank – …and through the years his life took on an almost legendary status.

    He had an endearing Chaplinesque quality about him: charismatic, witty, sincere, and a daring curiosity that led him into misadventures from which he, almost always, emerged victorious. Gary was a survivor who continually beat the odds at every roll of the dice, and he considered each new day a roll of the dice. He had a marvelous sense of the absurd, and a heart that was fair to a fault.

      Genuine. Gary was genuine. Those piercing blue eyes could penetrate the phony and cut straight through to the authentic. Loyal. Gary was loyal, to his family, to his friends and to a company that, in his words, “Took a chance on me.” He worked for that company, Saber Air Freight, for 30 years, becoming Vice-President, opening new offices in San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Chicago, and Atlanta…even in his professional life, it seems, ‘he must go a-wandering’.

     Gary retired in 2012 returning, ‘home’, to Chillicothe.

     Surviving are a brother, Dana “Bud” Sims, a sister and brother-in-law, Sue and Tom Shetterly; and very close friends, Rick and Kathi Barnes all of Chillicothe. Many nieces and nephews including his closest Cheryl Sims Frazier. Gary was predeceased by his parents; a sister; and four brothers. 

     A celebration of life is being planned and will be announced at a later date.  A private graveside service will be held in Greenlawn Cemetery.  Arrangements are under the direction of the WARE FUNERAL HOME. 

     You may sign his online register at www.warefh.com

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