James Roger “Jimmy” Simms, 70, Festus

James Roger “Jimmy” Simms, 70, of Festus died Nov. 22, 2021, at the Cape Girardeau Veterans Home. Mr. Simms was a retired over-the-road truck driver. He was a U.S. Army Airborne Ranger veteran, serving during the Vietnam War and earning a Purple Heart. He also was a member of First Baptist Church of Festus/Crystal City. Born Feb. 28, 1951, in St. Louis, he was the son of Pearl Lillian (Hammon) and Lee Ray Simms.

He is survived by a sister: Sharon (Dennis) Flader of Festus; a brother: Raymond (Gloria) Simms; two nieces: Gretchen (Nick Socias) Flader and Nichole (Craig) Fisher; two nephews: Colby Simms and Shay (Kristina) Simms; two great-nieces: Julia Bowman and Jayda Socias; and three great-nephews: Carter Bowman, Cade Simms and Cade Socias.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the funeral services at 11 a.m. Friday (Nov. 26) at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus. Burial, with full military honors, will be in Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens in Crystal City. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Homes.