Dr. Victor “Vic” Hugo Sims, Jr. Obituary

(This obituary appeared in the Medford Mail Tribune Sunday, May 6, 2007)

Dr. Victor “Vic” Hugo Sims, Jr. passed away peacefully in the early morning of April 27, 2007, amongst family at his home in Portland, Oregon, following a brief battle against cancer. He was 63.

Loving son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. A model of honor and integrity. Author, sailor, motorcyclist, adventurer. Bicyclist, triathlete, marathon runner. Lover of travel, music and horses. U. S. Army officer. Commercial pilot and flight instructor. Police office in the military police, the legendary Berkeley (California), Anchorage (Alaska) and Phoenix (Arizona) Police Departments. Chief of Police of Nome, Alaska. Criminology/Criminal Justice Professor at Stephen F. Austin State University and Lamar University in Texas and retired Professor Emeritus (2006) from Southern Oregon University.

Dr. Sims was born June 23, 1943 in Pascagoula, Mississippi, the son of Victor and Inez Havens Sims. A 1961 graduate of Pascagoula High School, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Mississippi in 1965, a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Arizona State University in 1976 and a PhD in Adult Education from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1981.

Vic’s first love was his family; he was a loving and compassionate husband, father, and grandfather who spoke of his children as his life’s greatest accomplishments yet didn’t hesitate to be “Robin” to his grandson Jack’s “Batman.” In recent years, Vic ran a marathon with his daughter Cookie, completed a triathlon with his son Jim, and a motorcycle trip through the Austrian Alps with his son Rob.

Vic’s associates, students, friends, and family remember his enthusiasm and love for life’s adventures along with his belief that one person can make a difference in making our world a better place. As a university professor, he was known for his intensity and innovation, for always volunteering when needed, and for his mentoring and advocacy for the students.

Vic and his wife Glenda, the love of his life, traveled extensively, and he was proud of circling the world twice. Their travels included 49 of the 50 states as well as much of Europe, Russia, China, Thailand, Nepal, and India. Also, they lived and researched for nearly a year at the University of South Africa. Dr. Sims was an accomplished writer, having authored a book on rural policing as well as many articles.

Married for 41 years, Vic is survived by his wife Glenda, children Bob, Jim and Cookie; daughter in-law Laura; grandson Andrew Jackson; sister Elizabeth Sims Waldorf; father Victor Hugo Sims, Sr.; step-mother Elnora Sims; step-brother Elton Breland; and was preceded in death by mother Inez Havens Sims in 1959.

Ordinary words can’t possibly describe an extraordinary man; his was a life cut much too short.

Southern Oregon University held a celebration of Dr. Sims’ life on April 20 in Ashland. In lieu of flowers, Vic asked that we donate a book of choice to a local library, read a book to a child, and spend quality time with family.