John Davis Sims Jr., 80, of Mebane, N.C., and formerly of Brown Street in Troutman, N.C., died Monday March 13, 2023, in Compass Healthcare and Rehab Nursing Home.

He was born March 19, 1942, the son of John Davis Sims Sr. and Lona Dare Parker Sims. After graduating high school in Statesville, N.C., John attended North Carolina State University. where he received a five-year degree from the School of Design. John started his career at IBM in Raleigh, N.C., where he held several design patents. He moved to California, where he lived briefly before returning to his hometown of Troutman, N.C. He then worked for Romac Metal Inc., where he designed, drafted, and welded stainless steel furniture. He then worked for Kewaunee, where he worked on laboratory equipment. He had a passion for gardening, biking, fishing, photography, and spending time outdoors on Lake Norman and the Outer Banks.

In addition to his many pursuits of creativity, John was a charitable and generous man who didn’t hesitate to give to those he loved.

John is survived by his son, John Davis Sims III, and daughter Steva Everett; and six grandchildren, Alexis Sims Trendowski, Parker Sims Deaton, Justin Hibbert, Katherine McNulty, Caroline McNulty, and Benjamin McNulty.

John was predeceased by his father, John Davis Sims Sr., in 1979 and his mother, Lona Dare Parker Sims, in 2004.

A small family gathering was held at his son’s house in Mebane, N.C., to celebrate his life. John will have a grave marker alongside his parents in Iredell Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Statesville, N.C.

Donations in his name may be made to the Outer Banks Preservation Association. OBPA is a 501(c)(3) and donations are tax-deductible.