Dr. Myrl David Sims

November 11, 1924 – July 28, 2019

Dr. Myrl David Sims, 94, of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, July 28, 2019.

David was born November 11, 1924 in Shawnee, Oklahoma, the son of the late Myrl Franklin Sims and Pearl (Lewallen) Sims. During his childhood, David's family moved across Oklahoma, to Texas, and eventually to Illinois where David graduated from Peoria Central High School in 1941. On his 18th birthday, David joined the Navy and served stateside, primarily in Pensacola. After the war, he went on to earn his bachelor's degree in 1946 and MD degree in 1949 from the University of Illinois in Chicago.

It was in Chicago that David met and fell in love with Joyce Thomas, the love of his life. David swept Joyce off her feet on their first date, dancing at the Aragon Ballroom. The couple married on August 2, 1947 and continued a loving partnership for 72 years.

In 1951, David's medical training was interrupted by the Korean War and he again volunteered to serve his country, this time as an Army surgeon in Korea. Following his tour, Captain Sims was honorably discharged and returned to Chicago to complete his OB/GYN training. In 1955, the couple left the Windy City and moved to sunny Miami, and for the next 33 years he was dedicated to compassionately caring for thousands of patients from South Florida and the Caribbean, including multiple generations of mothers and daughters. He was a founding physician at South Miami Hospital (now part of Baptist Health) and served in numerous leadership roles. He was active with the Miami Jaycees and University Baptist Church in Coral Gables, where he served as a Deacon for many years.

With a busy medical practice, David still prioritized time with family. He hiked the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina, marked the field before football games at Westminster Christian School, and cheered at swim meets. He looked forward to fall afternoons and evenings at the Orange Bowl, cheering on the Dolphins and his beloved Hurricanes.

Following retirement, the couple moved to Palm Beach Gardens where David devoted time to travel, service and contract bridge. The couple traveled the globe including a medical mission to Indonesia and special trips with each of their five grandchildren. He ministered to the needs of others as a Stephen Minister at Trinity United Methodist Church. Always competitive, David played in bridge tournaments in Las Vegas, Orlando and points in-between and was named Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League.

In more recent years, David primarily spent time simply visiting with friends and family. For 20 years, he dined with the same group of guys - the self-proclaimed Romeos (Really Old Men Eating Out) - every Tuesday morning for breakfast. And up until the day he passed, Joyce was always by his side, patiently taking care of his needs, sharing a bowl of ice cream, and laughing softly together.

David is survived by his loving wife, Joyce; two sons, Thomas Sims and his wife Patricia of Laurel Park, NC and Gregory Sims and his wife Janet of Jacksonville, FL; daughter Susan Sims of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; five grandchildren, David Sims and his wife Jessica of St. Louis, MO, Stephanie Sims and her husband David Kudla of Chicago, IL, Eric Sims and his wife Grace of Atlanta, GA, Robert Sims and his wife Samantha of Jacksonville, FL, and Thomas (Teddy) Sims and his wife Margaret (Maggie) of Clarksville, TN; two great-grandchildren; his granddog Savannah; and many loving nieces, nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, M.F. and Pearl, and his sister, Anita Sims Chambers.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:30 AM, Monday, August 5, 2019 at Palm Beach National Chapel, 10055 Heritage Farms Road, Lake Worth, FL 33449 followed by interment at South Florida National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.