Louis Barton Sims

Louis Barton Sims, born July 9, 1934, was a devoted husband, father, patriot, and proud

native of Hobart, Oklahoma, passed away on November 7, 2025 surrounded by his

loving children. His greatest pride and source of joy was being a husband, father, and

grandfather. He and his beloved wife, Gwen (Jones) Sims, also of Hobart, were married

for 60 years. Together they raised five children and were blessed with seven

grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Louis was a man of integrity and quiet strength, and lived a distinguished life dedicated

to service-to his family, faith, country, and his community. Born and raised in Hobart,

Louis graduated from Hobart High School, where the lessons learned and relationships

formed helped shape the foundation of his character and values. He earned the Junior

Master Farmer Degree his senior year. An accomplished student-athlete, he played

basketball, baseball, and was in the band. His skill on the basketball court and baseball

field continued into college-in the form of athletic scholarships making pursuing a

college degree feasible. Louis attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University and

Oklahoma Panhandle State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in

Business Administration. He later continued his education at George Washington

University's Graduate School of Business and graduated from the Industrial College of

the Armed Forces.

Upon graduation from Panhandle State University, Louis was drafted into the United

States Army, where he served honorably as a Special Agent in Army Intelligence. After

his military service, he became a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service.

He was assigned first to Chicago and then for seventeen years to Washington, D.C.

During this time, Louis protected U.S. Presidents from John F. Kennedy through Ronald

Reagan. Notably during the Nixon Administration he was called to testify during the

Watergate hearings in Federal Court as the custodian of the Watergate tapes. These

hearings eventually resulted in Nixon's resignation. Louis went to an appointment as the

Chief of the United States National Central Bureau of INTERPOL and served four years.

After retiring from government service, Louis joined Pennzoil as a Vice President of

Corporate Security that took him around the world. In 1994, Louis and his wife Gwen

returned home to Hobart. He commuted to Houston weekly until retiring from Pennzoil

1996. He then worked for EEX Corporation and retired a third and final time five years

later.

Louis worked tirelessly for the betterment of Oklahoma and his hometown of Hobart. He

was actively involved in economic development and civic leadership, serving on

numerous boards and committees, including Hobart Main Street, Hobart Industries, the

Hobart Economic Development Authority, the Kiowa County Industrial Development

Authority, the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority, Searchlight, the OSU

Dean's Advisory Committee, and the Oklahoma State Reformatory Advisory Committee.

He also served six years as the Chairman of the Board for the General Tommy Franks

Leadership Institute and Museum. All of these voluntary roles were undertaken out of

dedication to his community. He was honored to be named a Main Street Hero from the

Oklahoma Department of Commerce Main Street Program twice (2006 and 2016); the

Citizen of the Year by the Hobart Chamber of Commerce (2006); inducted into the

Oklahoma Panhandle University Hall of Fame (2021) and received the Hobart Main

Street Legacy Award (2023).

More important than all of his achievements, Louis cherished his involvement in the

First Presbyterian Church of Hobart, Oklahoma. He exemplified a life firmly rooted in his

Christian faith. A friendly and compassionate listener he made everyone feel valued,

seen and understood. Louis would lend a helping hand to anyone that needed it and

had a way of offering wise counsel at just the right time.

Louis lived by a simple principle that guided his life and inspired all who knew him:

"Work hard. Never give up. Serve others."

Louis was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Gwen (Jones) Sims; his parents,

Bryan O.B. and Evelyn Sims; and his siblings, Lucy (husband Paul) Bieberdorf, and

Robert (wife Dorothy) Sims. He is survived by his brother, Dr. James Sims, and by his

children: Carol (husband Tim) Binghom; Dr. William (wife Amy) Sims; Janice Sims

(husband Glen Harrison); Joy (husband Dale) Cook; and Anne Sims. Louis was blessed

with grandchildren Heather and Josh Sims, Matt Burton, Brooke Rogers, Sam Wilson,

Annie Herbst, Alexandra Cook. He is also survived by great-grandchildren Violet, Jude,

Milo Nosworthy-Sims and Ledger, Haynes, Griffin, and Summer Herbst.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Traditions Hospice of Elk City, Elkview

General Hospital, Sinor Ambulance Services, the Hobart Police Department, and Ray &

Martha's Funeral Home for their exceptional care and support.

In lieu of flowers you may honor Louis by making donations to these organizations in

Hobart, Oklahoma: First Presbyterian Church, Hobart Food Pantry, General Tommy

Franks Leadership Institute and Museum, Searchlight LLC, and Kiowa County Museum.

Celebration of Life: 2:00 PM Saturday, February 7, 2025

Hancock Event Center

Hobart, Oklahoma

Arrangements are under the direction of Ray & Martha's Funeral Home, Hobart, Oklahoma