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submitted by
Rhonda Bruce
Ray Leonard (Roy) Sims, 81
Passed Away: 08/10/2012
Alexander Funeral Home of Cleveland announces
the death of:
Ray Leonard (Roy) Sims died, after an extended
battle with Alzheimer’s, surrounded by his
family on Friday, August 10, 2012 in Athens, GA.
Born on April 15, 1931, Sims lived in his
beloved hometown of Helen, Georgia for most of
his life.
Mr. Sims joined the United States Army in 1947
when he was 15 years old and first served during
the Nuremberg Trials in Germany before being
stationed in Aschaffenburg, Germany until his
Honorable Discharge in 1953.Upon returning to
Helen, Sims founded Ray L. Sims General
Construction in 1958 and would go on to
construct buildings and facilities at most State
Parks and U. S. Forestry Campgrounds throughout
Georgia that are still enjoyed by many.
Mr. Sims was one of the original “five founding
Fathers of the Alpine Helen movement” and helped
grow the small lumber-mill town in the tourist
attraction it is today. Sims not only helped
develop the idea for the Bavarian townscape but
handcrafted most of the decorative gingerbread
styling, authentic storefront businesses, and
cobblestone streetscapes that remain in place
today. He served as a delegate of Helen on
numerous promotional tours throughout the United
States and Europe to encourage Helen’s tourism
during the early days. His devotion to transform
Helen into a major tourist destination as well
as a strong-knit community drove him to dedicate
much of his adult life to public service. His
love for his hometown and its citizens led his
decision to serve as a City Councilman and Mayor
of Helen for more than 22 years. Mr, Sims also
was a proud member of the Mt. Yonah Masonic
Lodge #382 located in Cleveland, GA.
Mr, Sims is preceded in death by his wife of 40
years, Margaret Merle Hunter Sims. He is
survived by son and daughter-in-law Mark Hunter
and Beverly Sims of Helen and son and
daughter-in-law Jonathan Ray and Kathryn Keith
Sims of Athens, GA, and sister Geneva Sims
Elwell of Helen. He is also survived by five
grandchildren, Kaytlyn Merle Sims, of Helen, and
Emerson Ray Sims, Parker MacKenzie Sims of
Athens, Emily Mote and Michaela Mote of
Cleveland , four sisters-in-law, and numerous
nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Sheila Caudell
and the considerate staff at Homestead Hospice
for the excellent care and compassion they
showed Mr. Sims and his family during his
illness.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00pm,
Sunday, August 12, 2012 from the funeral home
chapel with Rev. Michael Wilkes and Bob Fowler
officiating.
Interment will follow in Chattahoochee United
Methodist Church Cemetery with White County
Color Guard providing military honors.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that
donations be made to the Helen Arts and Heritage
Center in memory of Ray L. SIms
White County is a
part of the GaGenWeb
Project Paula Perkins, State Coordinator
Rebecca Maloney,
Assistant State Coordinator
Links to external
web sites are being provided as a convenience and for
informational purposes only; they do not
constitute an endorsement or approval of any of the products,
services or opinions contained in any external web site.
Copyright 2004 © Vicki
Shaffer
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