Theodore H. Sims

Ted Sims, 61, was born September 18, 1963 in Denver, Colorado. He is the youngest of five children born to David and Glenda Sims. He joined his mother and father in heaven on October 22, 2024. He grew up in the village of Western, Nebraska and attended Meridian High School where he graduated in 1982. He participated in football and wrestling in high school. He joined the military in 1983.

He resided in Lincoln where he was a devoted father to a step-son, a son, and a daughter from his first marriage. He later moved back to Western, where he raised his kids as a single father. He met his current wife at Husqvarna and they married on February 3rd, 2012. They moved to Beatrice in 2012, which is where he resided at the time of his death.

He enlisted in the United States Army Reserve on May 23, 1983, as Cavalry Scout. He was a member of Troop B, 4th Squadron, 5th Brigade in Fairbury, Nebraska. He served for fourteen years with the United States Army Reserves before transferring to the Nebraska Army National Guard for six years to finish his military career. In the Nebraska Army National Guard, Ted attended US Army Infantry School where he was a member of C Company, Second Battalion, 67th Brigade, Beatrice, Nebraska. Ted decided he liked the Cavalry and transferred back. He attended Armor Crewman Course and joined Detachment 1, Troop C, 1-167th Cavalry Squadron, in Fairbury, Nebraska and really enjoyed being in an M1 Abrahams Tank. Ted attained the rank of Sergeant during his time in the military and completed Primary Non-Commissioned Officer Course and Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course. Ted also attended an instructor training course where he learned to train other soldiers on the M1 Abrahams. He received five United States Army Reserve Component Achievement Medals, two Armed Forces Reserve Medals, the Nebraska Army National Guard Individual Achievement Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, The Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Medal (2), The National Defense Service Medal and the Nebraska National Guard Service Medal. Ted received qualification badges for the M-16, .45 Caliber and 9MM pistol.

During his life he worked at Farmland, Peterson’s (American Tool), Store Kraft, Husqvarna, and Neapco.

He was a hardworking father and husband who spent much of his time working to provide for his family. He enjoyed taking his kids camping and fishing during the summer, where he spent most of his time untangling the kids’ fishing lines instead of actually fishing. He enjoyed hunting with his son, brothers, and nephews. He had a deep, deep passion for the Huskers and didn’t miss a game if he could help it. He had a love for Mt. Dew and always had one in his hand, which he drank up until the day of his passing. He had been drinking three 16 oz bottles a day, which is significantly less than he drank in his earlier years. Mt. Dew will surely take a hit in their quarterly profits due to his passing. He enjoyed working on his house and making home improvements as well as playing games on his phone. Throughout his life he was a member of Bible Baptist Church in Lincoln and The Foursquare Church in Fairbury.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly (Knoop) Sims, children, Steven (Peggy) Ems, Ethan Sims, and Jessica Sims, brothers David (Carol) Sims, Bruce Sims, Richard Sims, Sheryl (Tim) Summers, former spouse Lorrie Gibbons, three grandchildren: Dylan, Ellie, and Carson, niece and nephews: Lindsey, Josh, Tyler, and Seth, and multiple cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Glenda and David Sims.

A viewing will be held at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury, Nebraska on Sunday, October 27th from 1pm-6pm. A Chapel Service will be held at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home on Monday, October 28th at 11am followed by a graveside service at Western Cemetery.