Larry E. Simms

??Larry Eugene Simms, 65, died unexpectedly at his home February 4, 2019 from an existing medical condition. Larry was born oneebruary 7, 1953 in Alexandria, Virginia to Ronald B. Simms and Grace Gelnette. Throughout his youth, he lived in many places around the country which inspired his love of travel, history, and people watching. While he lived in Charlottesville, Virginia he met the love of his life Maria "Mieke" Jobsis aneeventually established a beautiful life with her in Durham, North Carolina where he lived until his death. Of his many sayings, Larry believed that every day is an adventure. He neer knew a stranger and delighted ineeeting new people. He enjoyed conversations almost as much as he enjoyed to laugh and making other people laugh. He had the gift of makineeveryone feel special. Throughout his life he loved to learn with his biggest love being history. On family trips, he would passioneely share details about the local history and culture, the food and the people of the region. His curiosity was infectious, and he loved to discuss his most recent book or a news story, but especially anything you were passionee about. After a career as a graphic designer, Larry landed the job of a lifetime???.being a dad! His greatest joy was his children and he loved supporting them through all their ventures - from 20 years of soccer, multiple years of dance classes and recitals, and gymnastics events. He was so ineedibly proud of his youngest daughter both on and off the soccer field as a player and now as a college head coach. He was also beyoneexcited to watch his eldest daughter complete her Baking and Pastry Arts degree this May. At every phase of their life, he was there to celebrate his children. Larry is predeceased by his parents, his five brothers and his two sisters. Surviving are his wife, Mieke Jobsis; his two daughters, Sarah Grace Simms Jobsis and Annalies Rose Simms Jobsis; and his sister, Sharon McGaughey of Durham, NC.?? Also surviving are many beloved brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and family friends. A Service ineelebration of Larry???s life will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, February 9, 2019 at Hall-Wynne Funeral Chapel. Friends will be received prior to the service from 12:30 PM ??? 2 PM. The family will then continue the celebration of Larry's life at home after the service and welcomes anyone who wishes to join them. If you would like to honor Larry's memory, the family encourages you to donee to The Uneersity of the Virgin Islands Center for Marine aneenvironmental Studies (https://www.uvi.edu/research/center-for-marineenvironmental-studies/default.aspx) or North Carolina Public Radio WUNC (http://www.wunc.org/give). Arrangements for Simms family are under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service.