Mr. Gerald Eugene Sims, age 100, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on March 17, 2015. Mr. Sims was a long time Columbia County resident. He was born on March 5, 1915 in Ocoee, Florida.  His parents were the late Dr. Eugene Oscar Sims and Lalla Estella Sullivan. His grandfather, Captain Bluford Marion Sims founded the town of Ocoee, Florida, shortly after the end of the Civil War. Gerald Sims married Bertha Mae Stone on December 5, 1942. They had three children together. He lost his wife of 71 years on January 22, 2014. He was also predeceased by his siblings, Melba (Clarence) Tice, Sylvia (Elmer) Wheeler, Grady (Susie) Sims, and Violet Sims.  He is survived by his three children, Gerri (Charles) Clark, Danny Sims, and Tess (Duffy) Soto; seven grandchildren, Tina (Mark) Barta, Terri (Greg) May, Tracy (Wes) Davis, Tony Clark, Danny Sims, Jr., Jamie Sims, and Mandy (Soto) Smith. He also leaves behind 10 great grand children and four great, great grandchildren. Also surviving are his first cousins Mildred Spivey Richards and Robert Spivey; Nieces and nephews, Shirley Tice Bryne, Viki Tice, David Compton, Nellie (Don) Chinnici, Sheree (Ken)Patrick, Kelly (Sandy) Sims, Jimmy (Trish) Sims, John Stone, Wayne Stone and Harrison Pratt.  Also surviving are many grand nieces and nephews, friends and family. Mr. Sims enlisted in the U. S. Army Air Corp in March 1942. He served in the South Pacific theatre of operations. He was a T/Sgt. with the 345th Bomb Group (The Air Apaches), 501st squadron, and was crew chief of several B-25 medium bombers throughout the war, including the well known "Tin Liz". He served in the South Pacific until after the Japanese surrendered in August 1945. After returning home following the war, Mr. Sims and his wife moved back to Lake City, Florida, which was the Sims's old homestead. He worked at Powers Service and  was well known for his mechanical skills and his ability to troubleshoot problems that others could not solve. He retired from Powers Service after more than 30 years of employment, and spent the latter half of his life enjoying his family, gardening, and tending his vineyards. Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 am, Friday, March 20, 2015, graveside at Memorial Cemetery Lake City, FL with the family officiating.  The family will receive friends from 5:00pm until 7:00pm on Thursday, March 19, 2015 at Guerry Funeral Home.  The family has requested in lieu of flowers donations can be made to Haven Hospice Suwannee Valley Care Center at 6037 W. US 90, Lake City, FL 32055. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of GUERRY FUNERAL HOME 2659 SW Main Blvd. Lake City, FL.  Please sign the guestbook at www.guerryfuneralhome.net