Henry Sims

Private burial for Henry "Hank" Palmer Sims of Grass Valley will be conducted at San Fernando Mission in Southern California.

Mr. Sims died Thursday, Nov. 10, at home. He was 86.

He was born Feb. 9, 1919, on the Sims' family ranch in Vaughn, N.M., to Edward Thomas Sims and Hattie Arrena Hinds. He was the ninth of 10 children. He served in the U.S. Navy as a gunner's mate in the Pacific Theater during World War II, from 1941 to 1946. He married Amy Patricia Hanzlik on May 23, 1946, at the Old Mission in Ventura. Growing up on a working cattle ranch, his first jobs included ranch hand and cowboy. He made spending money riding bucking broncos in local rodeos. After the war he worked as a rough neck on an oil rig, and for the U.S. Department of Agriculture vaccinating cattle against hoof and mouth disease in Mexico. He later worked in aerospace and real estate industries in Southern California. He was a member of the Reseda Moose Lodge and lifetime supporter of the Reseda VFW. He played basketball while in high school and in the Navy. He was also an amateur boxer. He enjoyed fishing, tavern pool, cards, and games of chance.

He is survived by his sister, Ilene Sweigard of Barstow; companion, Betty Knock of Reseda; daughter, Mary Sims of Coeur 'd Alene, Idaho; son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Cathy Sims of San Diego; daughter and son-in-law, Theresa and Michael Ciafardoni of North San Juan; grandchildren Tony Ciafardoni of Smartville, Megan Ciafardoni of Grass Valley; Seth Sims of Coeur 'd Alene, Idaho, Michael and Amy Sims of San Diego; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. His daughter, Susan Ilene Sims has been missing since 1980. He was preceded in death by his wife in 1979.