Mr. Harold R. Sims, age 93, of Vevay, Indiana, was the first son of a southern preacher. He was born September 27, 1924 to Alfred E. Sims and Grace (Firebaugh) Sims during their ministry in Chester, West Virginia. Harold and his brothers, Earl and Ralph and his sister, Margaret grew up in Charlottesville and New Port News, Virginia and Eustis, Florida. He graduated from Atlanta Christian College and attended Cincinnati Bible Seminary. During World War II, when he registered, he was told to finish his degree and sign up as a Chaplain. The war was concluding when he graduated. He was recruited to go to Japan as a missionary. Although he had other plans, he concluded that if his Eustis High School friends had given their lives in the Pacific theater that he would go for a different reason. Only after his decision did he learn that years before, his father wanted to go to Japan as a missionary and couldn't. He had been praying that one of his children or grandchildren would be a missionary. Harold was united in marriage on March 21, 1947 to Lois Lutton. In November 1947, Harold and his bride from Pittsburgh, sailed to Japan.They had to take food and supplies for a year with them to the war torn country. All five children, Hope, Sylvia, Jonathan, Robert and Daniel were born in Japan. They served in the greater Tokyo area until 1997. When they retired the churches in Nakano and Mejirodai had self supporting ministries. They moved to Tavares, Florida for retirement and enjoyed their church in Eustis. Lois Sims passed during a trip back to Japan in September 2001. Harold lived in Florida until May 2008, when he moved to Mt. Healthy Christian Home in Cincinnati, Ohio. When he needed nursing care, he moved to Swiss Villa on April 1, 2010 where Sylvia was employed. Harold was known for his smile and will be missed by his loving family and friends. Harold passed away at 11:25 a.m., Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at the Swiss Villa Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Vevay, Indiana.

Harold will be missed by his daughters, Hope Schmidt and her husband: Thomas of Kendallville, IN and Sylvia (Ken) Byars of Florence, IN; his sons, Jonathan Sims and his wife: Verla of Troy, OH, Robert Sims and his wife: Helen of Shelbyville, IN and Daniel Sims and his wife: Jeannie of Lake Forest, CA; his 13-grandchildren, Rebecca, Melinda, Heidi, Wendy, Rachel, Josh, Suzanne, Benjamin, Joel, Amanda, Joanna, Lara and Michelle; his 23 great-grandchildren, Jason, Adam, Kendra, Blake, Derek, Ayda, Garrett, Wyatt, Isaiah, Samuel, Levi, Aaron, Abigail, Kassie, Nathan, Lexie, Bella, Jake, Jessie, Luke, Brooklyn, Quinn, Ezra and Frances expected to arrive in May; his sister, Margaret Cunningham of PA; his sister-in-laws, Norma Fowkes of Erwin, PA and Willa Sims of Mason, OH; his several nieces, nephews and many friends across America and in Japan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred E. and Grace (Firebaugh) Sims; his wife: Lois (Lutton) Sims and his brothers, Earl and Ralph Sims.

Friends may call 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Sunday, January 14, 2018, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street Vevay, Indiana 47043.

A Celebration of Harold's life will take place at a later date in the Spring.

Memorial contributions may be made to a mission of your choice. Cards are available at the funeral home.

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