Frank Michael “Mike” Sims

October 31, 1952 – December 2, 2019

Frank Michael “Mike” Sims, 67, of Bainbridge, GA, passed away Monday, December 2, 2019.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 5, 2019 at Ivey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Lynn Roberts officiating.  The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com. Memorial donations may be made to Georgia Eye Bank, Inc., 5605 Glenridge Drive NE Suite 250, Atlanta, GA 30342.

There will be an additional memorial service held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 8, 2019 at Clarksdale United Methodist Church in Clarksdale, MS.

Frank Michael “Mike” Sims was born October 31, 1952 in El Paso, TX, the son of Mary Emma Anderson Sims. Mike was a Mississippi native.  He grew up in Senatobia, Mississippi and was part of the graduating class of 1971 of S. Panola High School in Batesville, MS.  Mike was a graduate of Ole Miss and was very proud of the fact that he attended on a band scholarship which greatly reduced the cost of his education.  He furthered his studies at Southern College of Optometry and earned his surgical certification from Baylor University.   He lived in Clarksdale, MS for many years which is where he opened his first practice, The Optical Shoppe, with Dr. Tom Cooper.  Mike later moved to the Murray, KY and Paris, TN, eventually moving to Bainbridge, GA in 2005. He was a Dispensing Optician and served as Director of Ophthalmic Optics for Memorial Hospital & Manor.  Drs. Aric Aldridge and Lisa Martin describe Mike as a strong member of their team who went above and beyond for his patients and co-workers at Bainbridge Ophthalmology.  Mike was a member of Clarksdale United Methodist Church and for years was active in the Chrysalis and Emmaus community. He was also proud of the years spent serving in the Clarksdale Rotary club.

Mike was a man of many and amazing talents and possessed a great love of music. While attending Ole Miss, he was a proud member of the “Pride of the South” marching band. He was a drummer with the Uncle Sam Band and was proud of the time spent as a studio musician in Memphis; offering him the opportunity to perform with several world renowned artists. The eternal optimist and encourager, Mike tried to find the silver lining in each cloud. He was known for his gentle spirit and words of wisdom which often appeared at just the right moment. Mike’s smile invited you to a place where his kindness, compassion and genuine love for his neighbor provided the perfect example of how to treat others. He enjoyed running, playing a round of golf, the beach and sharing stories of his shenanigans over a good beer. Mike practiced the martial arts his entire life and embraced passing this love to others as an accomplished instructor. He earned his 2nd degree black belt from Sensei Kang Rhee in Taekwondo. Shotokan Karate was an equal pursuit where he recently earned his fourth dan black belt from Jim Baize and was proud of the opportunity to study under Hidetaka Nishi Yana of Japan. He also holds black belts in Kendo and Iaido. He loved the quirks of each person he met and treated each one as a beloved individual. Whether you knew him from the office, as Sensei Mike or simply Mike, southerners would say, “He was the same at the White House as he was at the creek house.”

Survivors include his son, Frank Michael Sims, Jr.(Carolyn), of Atlanta, GA; his daughter, Miles Bramlett Sims of Los Angeles, CA; and many beloved nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents, Mike was preceded in death by his brother, Johnny Still.