Last Train to Clarksville

Funeral Arrangements for Mr. Sims: Update

Due to an overwhelming response of friends, co-workers and students funeral arrangments have been changed to the following:

Faith Outreach Church off Exit 11
Friday, February 13, 2009
Visitation from Noon to 4:00 p.m.
Service is at 4:00 p.m.

Also, we have received word that Judy is improving but she will have a long road of recovery. You may send a donation to “Camp Rainbow” P O Box 3522, Clarksville, TN 37043. Camp Rainbow is a summer camp that Rich was involved with.

Currently at Northeast Schools the counselors on site are in training this week but to help with any child’s grieving if counselors are not available the Principle, Mrs. Salyer is there to speak with your child.  I met with her this morning to speak with her about mine and she has suffered a loss in a friend of 10 years.  All prayers go out to the Faculty and Staff, students, friends, co-workers and his family at this time.

Below is a tribute to Mr. Sims and found on Northeast Middle School’s website:

1. J-Rod (NEMS Student 7th Grade) said at February 15th, 2009 at 12:11 am

   Mr.Sims was a very nice man. I hardly even knew him but he was important to me and everybody else in that school. We will not forget you ever ever ever Mr.Sims; everybody loves you! FYI: Ms. Smith REALLY misses you! LOL
   See you soon,
   7th Grade NEMS Student

2. NEHS Student 08-09 said at April 15th, 2009 at 6:54 am

   Richard was a great man and i will miss him dearly love you buddy !!!!!!!!!!! RIP,Mr.Sims 08-09 NEHS

3. Katelynn Masters said at April 30th, 2009 at 8:33 am

   Mr. Sims was the best teacher EVER. He always helped us if he could and if he couldn’t then he would try to help in someother way. He helped me through tough times and talked to me when ever I got into fights with my mom. But the one thing that I have learned from his death is, hold nothing back! Tell the people you love that you love them. If you want to tell somebody something then tell them! I love you Mrs. Sims! I’m praying for you and I hope you recover quickly! FYI: I’m from the 8th grade and was in Mr. Sims’s homeroom.
   Love,
   Katelynn Masters

4. Raven Gutierrez said at May 11th, 2009 at 3:13 pm

   I was in Mr.Sims homeroom social studies class. He was probably one of the least boring teachers i’ve ever had. He always made you laugh! Even when u were mad at him you still couldn’t help but laugh. He will always be a memory everyone should cherish. Remember his legacy and his words not his forever journey beyond Earth. It still hurts and i’m still in disbelief of the whole accident. But just because ones journy on Earth ends doesnt mean there isnt one waiting for him to pick up on.

   “To die completely, a person must not only forget but be forgotten, and he who is not forgotten is not dead.”

   I challege all who read this to memorize and remember it. Mr.Sims is only dead if u make your heart believe so. He’s still here with us all.

5. Joey Napolitano said at May 22nd, 2009 at 9:31 pm

   I was in Mr.Sim’s 2nd period and he was my favorite teacher by far.He was that kind of teacher that you always hoped to get before the year began.He could make you so mad,but you couldn’t stay mad at him!His death has hit me and many others very very hard.I love him and miss him so much I can’t help but think about past memories and shed a tear or two.Even now as I am typing this I am crying.We love you Mr.Sims and we will never forget you…

6. Andrew Coelho said at February 3rd, 2010 at 5:18 pm

   I was in Mr. Sims 2nd period class with Joey. It has almost been a year from his death. Some people still don’t even want to hear his name. Some people, very few though like Joey, can still talk about him. for the rest of last year we had Ms. Jelensky as our teacher. I never felt it, but I know that every day when people passed right by former classroom, they were filled with grief. I remember the day we found out like it was yesterday. We had an administrator at his room all wondering why there wasn’t a sub. After the bell rang we were shuffled down the halls into the auditorium. We were all wondering why we were there. then an administrator said “Last night there was a crash an Mr.Sims was killed.” one girl immediately stood up and practically ran out. For a few moments everybody was silent. Then wailing broke out all over . Some, like my self, just sat there for a minute and soaked it in. We were all saying “I don’t believe it, I don’t believe it.” That day, people who had just 20 days earlier had been shouting Obama in the halls were grieving and singing in his class room. We didn’t do anything that day. In every class we didn’t have to do anything. any one who wanted to leave could and any one who needed counseling had pastors to talk to. every one just sat there. We had the quietest lunch ever with almost nobody talking. About two days after we found out we resumed our classes. I remember one time in his class he was installing a pad that conveyed what you wrote onto the screen. It was wireless and used Bluetooth. when he searched for the pad via his computer, the pad and two cellphones. One of them was a boy named Christian in class at that very moment. We had Christian stand out in the hallway as we decided if Christian would get in trouble. He was called in and we told him was excused for unreasonable search and seizure, based on the fourth amendment(we’re in american history). Another time we got to talking about cellphones and a girl pulled out hers and said “Like this!?” we all started laughing and excused her because we compelled her to pull it out. I will always love Mr. Sims and always think about him.

7. Andrew Coelho said at February 3rd, 2010 at 5:27 pm

   I also forgot, the day he died a friend of mine and fellow classmate, Jason, had seen him just moments before the crash. Jason was in his yard and waved to him. moments later, although my friend didn’t here it, Mr.Sims was fatally wounded in a bike accident.

8. Thea Agnew said at February 3rd, 2010 at 6:14 pm

   Andrew, thank you so much for taking the time to comment on my blog about Mr. Sims. He touched us all and we will never forget him. Things happen in our life that will stay with us forever. You will always have those good memories because of the man who touched your life in little and big ways. When we come to the year mark, it will be a sad occasion but we can be happy that he is somewhere else making others laugh! Blessings to you and remember to smile for Mr. Sims. He would have wanted you to!

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