Dr. Terry Jay Sims

Dr. Terry Jay Sims, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away November 6, 2024, at the age of 82 years old. He was born September 4, 1942 in Richmond, California to Violet and John Sims. He is survived by his loving wife, Susan Orton Sims; children, Anthony Sims, Nicole Sims, and Melissa McKenna (Charles); siblings, Phillip Sims and Zandra Shaver; grandchildren Bowe Johnson and Katherine McKenna.

Dr. Sims graduated from the University of Rochester, New York with a Doctorate of Philosophy in May of 1975. He completed his post-Doctoral research at the City of Hope in Duarte, California and at Stanford University in San Jose, California. He later had a long career at the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences where he taught Gross Anatomy to medical students. Dr. Sims was also a Research Scientist specializing in cell regeneration with a focus on the brain and spinal cord. With his colleague, Dr. Shirley Gilmore, together they wrote and published several articles for medical journals while working for the Department of Anatomy at UAMS

In his free time, Dr. Sims enjoyed hunting, fishing, precision shooting competitions, computer games, astronomy, and building his dream house for his family. He shared his love for science and math passionately with his two grandchildren by doing science projects, stargazing, and giving them challenging math equations. He was loved deeply and spoiled by his wife, Susan.

Dr. Terry will be forever loved and missed by family, friends, and colleagues.

A Celebration of Life will take place 1:00 p.m. Thursday December 12, at First Presbyterian Church, 800 Scott St, Little Rock, AR 72201.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to First Presbyterian Church, 600 Scott St, Little Rock, AR or UAMS, Jackson T. Stephens Spine and Neuroscience Institute at giving.uams.edu.