John E. Sim died peacefully at home on April 21, 2016 with his wife of 64 years, Martha, at his side. He was 89 years old.
John was born in Dalian, China on August 17, 1926. He was educated at Strathallen School in Perth Scotland prior to moving with his family to California in 1940, crossing the Atlantic with his mother and brother on the first ship of British refugees during World War II. His family moved to Hampton when he was 15. John was a 1945 graduate of Newport News High School and attended the College of William and Mary.
John had a long and fulfilling career beginning with his Army service in World War II. He joined Morgan Marrow Company in 1960 and worked there until his retirement as President in 1997. Following that retirement, he spent sixteen years helping to start and grow a new business in the area, Shred-it. After his retirement, he dedicated his considerable energy to caring for and spending time with his beloved wife, Martha.
John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Margaret Frances Daley Sim, his brother James Sim and his son- in-law, Jeffrey R. Gustafson. He is survived by his devoted wife Martha Stack Sim, his children, J. Michael Sim, Elizabeth S. Wash and husband Tom, Molly C. Sim, J. Stuart Sim and wife Nicole and his ten grandchildren: John Sim, Wren Sim, Anastasia Wash, Garrett Sim, Lauren Gustafson, Colby Gustafson, Hunter Sim, Juliette Sim, Alisa Wash, and Jordan Sim. John delighted in spending time with his family, and will be remembered as a loving, generous and supportive father and grandfather.
John enjoyed living on the water and skiing and golfing at Wintergreen, and was a loyal William and Mary fan. He and Martha also traveled extensively with their friends and family. Though John had a gentlemanly manor, he loved to tell jokes and stories about the family escapades, always ending with a big laugh at his own jokes. He had a natural gift for making friends and sharing his interests with them. He was a faithful member of Grace Episcopal Church Yorktown where he served as a Trustee, was on the board of Jackson-Field Episcopal Home, was a past President and Paul Harris Fellow of the Hampton Rotary Club, a past President of the Virginia Association of Insurance Agents and was an active member of Hampton Yacht Club, The Hampton Roads German Club, James River Country Club, and the Yorktown Rotary Club, where he was a founding member.
John's family invites friends to visit with them on Saturday, April 23, between 4-7 pm at the home of Elizabeth and Tom Wash. A funeral service will be held in the churchyard of Grace Episcopal Church Yorktown on Sunday, April 24 at 2pm with The Reverend Carleton Bakkum, Rector, officiating. A reception will follow in the church Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, John's family requests memorial donations to Grace Episcopal Church Yorktown, P. O. Box 123, Yorktown, VA 23690 or the Rotary Foundation, 14280 Collections Center Dr., Chicago, IL 60693.