Celebrating the life of
Luke Hampton Sims, Sr.
March 11, 1923 - September 06, 2007
SAVANNAH- Luke H. Sims, Sr., 84, died Thursday, September 6, 2007, surrounded by his family.
Born March 11, 1923, the Savannah native was an excellent athlete and a man of great love and integrity. He was raised at the Bethesda Home for Boys from ages 9 to 18. He became a star football and baseball player at Savannah High from 1940-42.
Luke married Rose vonWaldner on September 9, 1942. He worked as Chief Administrator for the Chatham County Jail for 23 years alongside Sheriff Carl Griffin.
Luke became one of the most feared hitters of the 40s and 50s in the Bethesda Alumni City Softball league. During the next phase of his athletic career, Luke coached the Panther Organization with the late Tom Moore from 1950 until 1970. He also served as President of the Bethesda Alumni Association in the early 1970s. He was inducted into the City of Savannah Softball Hall of Fame in 1993 and into the Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame in May 2006.
Luke is a hero to many members of his family, and he is loved and admired by many others. He maintained his strength and sense of humor all of his days.
Luke was preceded in death by his beloved grandson, Russ, and is survived by his wife, Rose, his children, Luke Linda Sims, Jr., Patty Shealy Grovenstein, and Larry Pat Sims, six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Sunday, September 9, 2007 from 3-5pm at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors Hodgson Chapel.
Funeral Services will be at 2 pm, Monday, September 10, 2007 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors Hodgson Chapel.
Interment will follow in the Greenwich Section of Bonaventure Cemetery.
The family would like to thank Dr. Jules “Bubba” Victor III and the other physicians, nurses, and staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Hospice Savannah.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Bethesda Home for Boys 9520 Ferguson Avenue, Savannah, Georgia 31406 or Hospice Savannah P.O. Box 13190 Savannah, Georgia 31416.
Hi Rose, I just received the word about Luke and was saddened to hear of his passing.I always thought a lot of Luke and enjoyed having him as a friend.I wish you and your family the very best. Dan
- Dan and Pat Pinckney, Oakhurst, CA
To The Sims family, My deepest sympathy for your loss. I was sorry to hear about the passing of Coach Sims. I played for the panthers with Lukey during the fifties. Coach Sims had a positive influence on all us panthers. Respectfully,
- Joe Sims, Houston, TN
We send you and your family our deepest sympathy and sincerest prayers. Mickie and Vernon Deal
- Vernon Deal, Statesboro, GA
Dear Sweet Patty I am so sorry for your lose. I was there 2 years ago, so I feel your pain and sadness. You and your family will be remembered in my prayers for strength and comfort. Let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.
- Jeanette Singelton, Athens, GA
To Patty and Family - - Although I've never met your dad, based on notes about his life, he was indeed a fine person with vast enthusiasm, caring, and interaction with people both as a great athlete and a leader. His life was long and vastly accomplished You are blessed. Respectfully, John Charles Griffin Macon, Georgia
- John Griffin, Macon, GA
Dear Mrs. Sims and family,my deepest sympathy on your terrible loss.I knew Luke in many capacities,a friend,work while serving as County Attorney and on Saturdays when he was a ranger at The Landings.He was a true gentleman and a person everyone thought the world of regardless of how they knew him.You are in my prayers.
- Tom Mahoney, Savannah, GA
To the Sims family, Luke was one of my very first athletic coaches. I was a Panther and proud of it. Big Luke I knew and was a friend of Little Luke was one of the fairest men I have ever met. As a kid of the 50’s, and in need of quality mentoring, Big Luke stepped into my life and made a HUGE difference. He was calm yet competitive. He was a disciplinarian with a gentle touch. For a young boy starting out on the playing field Luke Sims was the perfect coach and near perfect role model; I am a better person for having been one of his players. He was one of my life heroes. Godspeed Luke, thank you for you life, it was so worth it to so many of us.
- Neff McIntosh, savannah, GA
Mr.Luke, Our prayers are with you and your family.
- john boston, guyton, GA
Dear Patty and family, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. My heart goes out to each of you. I have many wonderful memories of you and your family. You were such a big part of my life in Savannah as I was growing up. One that you shared with me was that your Dad and Mom went on a picnic before they were married. Your Dad measured your Mom's finger size with a piece of grass so that the ring he got for her would be a perfect fit. Obviously it was! As you celebrate your Dad's life may God grant each of you peace, love and strength in the days ahead. Mrs. Sims, My Mother sends you special prayers for strength. Your 'best friend' for many years. I would love to hear from you. Terry, Jim and Family
- Terry Tatum Wilkins, Jonesboro, AR
Dear Mrs. Sims, Lukey and Larry: Its been so long since I've seen you and I regret I did not make an effort to contact you prior to Luke's death. I was so happy when he was inducted into the Savannah Sports Hall of Fame and I thought of him often after he received that pretiguous and well-deserved honor. Luke had a profound impact on my childhood and I can remember standing in front of him like it was yesterday, asking him for my 'drink' money which he kept in a draw-string bag during our 'break'. He always had a smile and an infectuous laugh which exemplified his love for 'his kids'. He gave his 'kids' confidence in our abilities and extended unconditional approval of all we did. Discipline was not an issue as we respected and admired him too much to disapoint him. He always gave the less talented a 'little' extra attention and he NEVER lost his patience. I can honestly say, he has always been and will continue to be A HERO to me and I will NEVER forget what he did for me and my Panther team mates. When I told my mother of his death, she reminded me of his impeccable professional reputation in the sheriff's office and how much his colleagues respected him and enjoyed working with him. Please accept my deepest sympathy & know that the thoughts and prayers of your extended family are with you. I hope to see you all soon. With love & admiration, Gay Mayfield
- Gay Mayfield, Savannah, GA
Grandmoma Sims, We are sorry for the loss of Grandaddy the two of you really are special to us and we will greatly miss him. Love Curtis & Kris Duck
- Kris Duck, Covington, GA
Hi Rose, I just received the word about Luke and was saddened to hear of his passing.I always thought a lot of Luke and enjoyed having him as a friend.I wish you and your family the very best. Dan
- Dan and Pat Pinckney, Oakhurst, CA
To The Sims family, My deepest sympathy for your loss. I was sorry to hear about the passing of Coach Sims. I played for the panthers with Lukey during the fifties. Coach Sims had a positive influence on all us panthers. Respectfully,
- Joe Sims, Houston, TN
We send you and your family our deepest sympathy and sincerest prayers. Mickie and Vernon Deal
- Vernon Deal, Statesboro, GA
Dear Sweet Patty I am so sorry for your lose. I was there 2 years ago, so I feel your pain and sadness. You and your family will be remembered in my prayers for strength and comfort. Let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.
- Jeanette Singelton, Athens, GA
To Patty and Family - - Although I've never met your dad, based on notes about his life, he was indeed a fine person with vast enthusiasm, caring, and interaction with people both as a great athlete and a leader. His life was long and vastly accomplished You are blessed. Respectfully, John Charles Griffin Macon, Georgia
- John Griffin, Macon, GA
Dear Mrs. Sims and family,my deepest sympathy on your terrible loss.I knew Luke in many capacities,a friend,work while serving as County Attorney and on Saturdays when he was a ranger at The Landings.He was a true gentleman and a person everyone thought the world of regardless of how they knew him.You are in my prayers.
- Tom Mahoney, Savannah, GA
To the Sims family, Luke was one of my very first athletic coaches. I was a Panther and proud of it. Big Luke I knew and was a friend of Little Luke was one of the fairest men I have ever met. As a kid of the 50’s, and in need of quality mentoring, Big Luke stepped into my life and made a HUGE difference. He was calm yet competitive. He was a disciplinarian with a gentle touch. For a young boy starting out on the playing field Luke Sims was the perfect coach and near perfect role model; I am a better person for having been one of his players. He was one of my life heroes. Godspeed Luke, thank you for you life, it was so worth it to so many of us.
- Neff McIntosh, savannah, GA
Mr.Luke, Our prayers are with you and your family.
- john boston, guyton, GA
Dear Patty and family, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. My heart goes out to each of you. I have many wonderful memories of you and your family. You were such a big part of my life in Savannah as I was growing up. One that you shared with me was that your Dad and Mom went on a picnic before they were married. Your Dad measured your Mom's finger size with a piece of grass so that the ring he got for her would be a perfect fit. Obviously it was! As you celebrate your Dad's life may God grant each of you peace, love and strength in the days ahead. Mrs. Sims, My Mother sends you special prayers for strength. Your 'best friend' for many years. I would love to hear from you. Terry, Jim and Family
- Terry Tatum Wilkins, Jonesboro, AR
Dear Mrs. Sims, Lukey and Larry: Its been so long since I've seen you and I regret I did not make an effort to contact you prior to Luke's death. I was so happy when he was inducted into the Savannah Sports Hall of Fame and I thought of him often after he received that pretiguous and well-deserved honor. Luke had a profound impact on my childhood and I can remember standing in front of him like it was yesterday, asking him for my 'drink' money which he kept in a draw-string bag during our 'break'. He always had a smile and an infectuous laugh which exemplified his love for 'his kids'. He gave his 'kids' confidence in our abilities and extended unconditional approval of all we did. Discipline was not an issue as we respected and admired him too much to disapoint him. He always gave the less talented a 'little' extra attention and he NEVER lost his patience. I can honestly say, he has always been and will continue to be A HERO to me and I will NEVER forget what he did for me and my Panther team mates. When I told my mother of his death, she reminded me of his impeccable professional reputation in the sheriff's office and how much his colleagues respected him and enjoyed working with him. Please accept my deepest sympathy & know that the thoughts and prayers of your extended family are with you. I hope to see you all soon. With love & admiration, Gay Mayfield
- Gay Mayfield, Savannah, GA
Grandmoma Sims, We are sorry for the loss of Grandaddy the two of you really are special to us and we will greatly miss him. Love Curtis & Kris Duck
- Kris Duck, Covington, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
