Mr. Joseph Ivan Sims

Joseph “Joe” Ivan Sims, 81, of Salisbury, passed away Monday June 29th 2015 at the Novant Health Rowan Medical Center in Salisbury. He was born on January 10, 1934 in Duncan, South Carolina. A loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he will be greatly missed. Joe was a 1952 graduate of Boyden High School. He served in the U.S. Army for two years and completed basic training at Fort Jackson. He served in Munich, Germany as a military police and finished his service at Fort Bragg, N.C. In 1958 Joe graduated from N.C. State with a B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering. While attending N.C. State Joe became an avid Wolfpack fan. Joe was employed by his father with Joe L. Sims and Son, Inc. and traveled for 32 years selling household goods and hardwares to retailers. He received many awards and won several trips to Europe for his accomplishments in sales. He also started a company called Super Service Inventory Control in Nashville, Tennessee that operated in the southeast. Joe had a passion for food and in the past owned a Swenson’s Restaurant in Raleigh and The Carousel Sandwich Shop in Salisbury. He opened Ivan’s Restaurant in Salisbury which is now celebrating 25 years of operation. Joe loved golf which he played until his health would no longer allow it. While able, he played golf every weekend and even made 2 holes in one! After retirement, he took up a hobby he had enjoyed as a youngster, raising Homing Pigeons. He trained the birds and bred them to make more competitive birds and won many trophies. He was a member of the Tarheel Homing Pigeon Club. Joe was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, the Brooks Sunday School class, served on an usher team, served on the Education Committee and taught Senior High Sunday School. When he was no longer able to attend church he enjoyed listening to St. John’s church service on the radio. For 17 years he served as the director of the Joe L. and Hester M. Sims Family Foundation which supports local non-profits. He was a Mason of the Andrew Jackson Lodge and a member of the Rowan Shrine Club. Joe was predeceased by his parents, Joseph Lon Sims and Hester Moser Sims and brother-n-law, Frank Andrews. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Barbara Baker Sims, whom he married on January 12, 1955; two daughters, Barbara Corriher(Darryl) of China Grove, Melanie Kirchin(Ernie) of Salisbury; two sons, Joseph L. Sims(Janet) of Salisbury and Robert Sims(Meredith) of Henderson, Nevada; a brother, The Reverend Dr. Robert “Butch” Sims(Suzanne) of Atlanta, Georgia; a sister, Eleanor Andrews of Salisbury; grandchildren Joseph Lon Sims(Tiana), Matthew Sims(Olivia), Haley Sims, Sydney Sims, Allison Sims, Jason Sims, Claire Corriher, Addison Corriher, Zachary Kirchin(Catherine), Georgia Kirchin, Callie Kirchin; four great grandchildren; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements: A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Thursday, July 2 at 1:00 p.m, conducted by Rev. Rhodes Woolly, Rev. David Nelson, and Rev. Danielle Kosanovich. Inurnment to follow. The family will receive afterwards in the church fellowship hall. Memorials: St. John’s Lutheran Church new building fund. 200 W. Innes St., Salisbury, NC 28144 The family wishes to thank Dr. Goss and Dr. Patel and the critical care unit staff of Novant Health Rowan Medical Center. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Mr. Joseph Ivan Sims

January 10, 1934 - June 27, 2015