Michael Ray Sims Sr.

 Connersville native Michael Ray Sims Sr., 71, died Sunday, March 29, 2026.

Mike was born on January 7, 1955, to Donald and Betty York Sims. He graduated from Connersville Highschool in 1973. He was a hardworking man who was employed with D & M for seventeen years and later IBEM. Most recently, Mike was employed with the Ohio Valley Gas Company. He was the assistant superintendent when he finally retired after more than thirty years of dedicated service. Mike didn’t know a stranger. He couldn’t walk through a store without running into someone he knew. No matter where he was, or what he was doing, Mike always stopped to catch up with an old friend.

Mike liked animals and enjoyed feeding the wildlife in his yard and the rabbits at OVG. He spent many hours with his daughter and her barrel racing horse that she rode for 4H. Mike also enjoyed fishing and hunting, but he had a passion for classic cars. He co-founded Pair-A-Dice Cruisers with his brother Don. Mike collected and restored many vehicles but some of his favorites were his ‘49 Chevy, ’64 Falcon, ‘64 GTO, and his '78 Ford that he rebuilt with his son. In addition to rebuilding his vehicles, Mike also raced them and entered them into car shows where he usually took 1st place. He was proud of his vehicles, but nothing compared to how proud he was of his children and grandchildren. Mike will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the car community he leaves behind.

In addition to his wife of twelve years: Margaret, Mike is survived by his son: Michael Ray Sims Jr.; daughters: Stephanie Sims, Danielle Troope, Whitney Manlove; siblings and their spouses: Don and Patricia Sims, Claudia and Tim Hamilton; Jeffery and Lori Sims, Timothy and Tammy Sims; grandchildren: Michael Ray Sims III, Mia Annalee Sims, Maitland June Sims, Chloe Michelle Rains, Madison Jordan, and Easton Troope; many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and many, many friends.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents: Donald and Betty.

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Myers Chapel, Connersville with Pastor Bob Smith officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Richland Cemetery. Friends may gather at the funeral home from 11:00 a.m., until the time of service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fayette County Animal Shelter in Mike’s honor