STERLING, Colo. — Don E. Simms, 85, of Sterling, Colo. passed away on Sunday April 11, 2021 in Sterling, Colo. Don’s family will receive friends from 2 – 4 p.m., Sunday, April 18 at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home. A closed casket funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, April 19 at Christ United Methodist Church with Pastor Jodie Harless and Pastor Kristie Firme officiating. Don will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery.

Donald Eugene Simms was born June 9, 1935 in Sterling, Colo. to Griffin L. and Irene Olive (Geer) Simms. He started school at Prairie View/Pointed Rock School; a one room country school near the North Sterling Reservoir until the 8th grade and graduated from Sterling High School in 1953. In high school, Don played football and wrestled. After graduation, Don started working for his grandfather at North Sterling Reservoir, and then decided to pursue a career as a farm and ranch manager. He farmed near Merino and Sterling and later in Ellinwood, Kan. and Alliance, Neb. Don married Mary Louise Walter on May 9, 1958 in Sterling at Christ United Methodist Church. After retirement, Don and Louise moved into town and he drove the bus for the County Express.

Don was a longtime member of Colorado Cattleman’s Association and served as President of Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association. He served on the church board of the Methodist Church when he lived in Merino and sang in the church choir at Christ United Methodist in Sterling. Don loved rodeos, football, the Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies, golfing and participating at roping events at the Croissant arena near North Sterling Reservoir. He also loved his horses and dogs. Don and Louise welcomed many foreign exchange students into their home. Don was especially proud of his children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments. He also enjoyed collecting Western art.

He was preceded in death by his parents Griffin and Irene and son-in-law Brandon Cartwright. Don is survived by his wife Mary Louise; son Larry (Simone) Simms of Sterling, Colo.; daughters Ginger (Jon) Bailey of Bancroft, Neb., Arlene (Rodney) Blackman of Kersey, Colo. and Mistee Cartwright of Katy, Texas; grandchildren Michael Bailey of Neb., Anne Bailey of Ypsilanti, Mich., Christopher (Tearza) Blackman of Laporte, Colo., Cody (Alli) Blackman of Denver, Colo., Donnie (Suzi) Blackman of Wolverine Lake, Mich., Jossie Cartwright and Trennary Cartwright both of Katy, Texas, and Shelli (John) Adams; great-grandchildren Ezekiel Blackman, Sebastian Blackman, Tatum Adams, Kyle Adams and Brandon Adams and close family friends David R. Duncan of California and Mette Helgesen of Norway.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Chaney-Reager Funeral Home

P.O.Box 1046 

Sterling, Co.  80751

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 16, 2021