Gordon M. Simms

YORK – Gordon M. Simms, 77, passed away Thursday, March 21, 2013 at Rest Haven – York. He was the husband of Mary (Loomis) Simms to whom he was married for 55 years. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, May 10, 2013 in the sanctuary at First Presbyterian Church, 225 East Market Street, York with her pastor, The Rev. Dr. John E. Morgan officiaing. Private burial will be in First Presbyterian Church Memorial Gardens. Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Road, York is in charge of arrangements. Born May 10, 1935 in Buffalo, NY eldest son of the late Harry H. and Lillian O. (Morrison) Simms, he was a graduate of Taft Academy in Conn. and Middlebury College in Vermont, studying geology. Gordon worked with the family business, Jamestown Veneer and Plywood. He had been a production woodworking machinery salesman prior to being the founder and President of both Simms Machinery and Kiika International. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church where he sang 30 years in the Choir, York Downtown Rotary, Regents Glen Country Club; and had also sung with the York Symphony Chorus. In Annapolis, MD, he and his wife sang in the St. Anne’s Episcopal choir 13 years as well as Bachmeister Singers In addition to his wife, Mr. Simms is survived by two sons, Daniel L. and wife Vanessa Simms of Dallastown and William H.H. and wife Beth Simms of Red Lion; two daughters, Elizabeth S. and husband Dan Rudolf and Kathleen M. and husband Jon Rudolf both of Yellow Springs, OH; 10 grandchildren; and a brother, John E. Simms and wife Barbara of Jackson, WY with 3 nieces and children. Memorial contributions to honor Gordon may be made to: Alzheimer’s Disease Research, 22512 Gateway Center Dr., Clarksburg, MD 20871, or Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. box 96011, Washington DC 20090-6011 (GMSimms Memorial Fund), or to First Presbyterian York, 225 East Market St., York, PA 17403-2014.