James Earle Simms Sr. “Jimmy”, “Pops” 93 of Lusby, Maryland formerly of College Park, Maryland passed away on February 28, 2023 at Chesapeake Shores Nursing Center.  He was born on December 22, 1929 in Washington DC to William and Ruth Simms.

At the age of 9 he lost his mother and was primarily raised by his older siblings; as his father worked long hours at the family bakery.  He grew up in the DC/Maryland area and would frequently go to Cobb Island for crab feasts.

Pops met and fell in love with June Cave and married her on July 20,1950 in LaPlata, Maryland.  After starting a family, they bought a house in College Park, Maryland, where they lived for 50 years.

Pops provided for his family the best way he knew how, through hard work and dedication.  He worked the night shift as a print plate maker in order to be home with his family during the day.  He retired after 30 plus years once his position became obsolete due to emerging technologies, i.e. – computers.

In 2010, due to both of their declining health’s, they relocated to Lusby, Maryland to live with their son, Michael and daughter-in-law Tina where they enjoyed the company of their grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Pops was a very private person with a big personality and a heart of gold.  He could make friends with anyone, he was a jokester, he could make the most ordinary things hilariously funny.  He wasn’t a pushover though.  One of his famous sayings was “fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice shame on ME!”  In his later years he became known as the family dessert taster or critic depending on whether or not he liked what was served to him.

Pops was a dedicated and loving husband, father and grandfather.  He is survived by his children James Simms, Jr. (Jennifer) of Delaware, Judith Thayer of Virginia, John Simms of Florida and daughter-in-law Tina Simms of Maryland; 13 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren.

Pops was preceded in death by his father William Simms, his mother Ruth Simms, his wife June Simms, his son Robert Simms, his son Michael Simms, and his three siblings – Harry, Dorothy and Lil.