Clyde W. Sims, Jr.

Clyde W. Sims, Jr.

CHARLESTON –It is with great sadness that the family of Clyde W. Sims, Jr., announces his passing after a long and courageous battle with brain cancer.  Clyde leaves his wife of fifty-two years, Cheri McGarry Sims, son Clyde W. Sims III (Trey) and his companion Tara Estrada and their children.  Clyde’s parents Clyde W. and Betty J. Sims, and brother Rick Sims preceded him in death.

Clyde was born and raised in Decatur, Illinois and graduated from Eisenhower High School.  He continued his education at Eastern Illinois University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education with a minor in French and a Master’s Degree in Art.  He taught Art and French in the Jerseyville and Kansas school systems and in his free time gave guitar and French lessons.  Clyde dedicated his life to mastering the arts by also pursuing careers in Art and Music.  While in High School, Clyde was privileged to be a member of the Eisenhower Panther’s basketball team and he continued his passion for sports playing tennis.  During his lifelong employment, as an advertising representative, Clyde worked for the Charleston Times-Courier, the Mattoon Journal-Gazette, and the Tuscola Tri-County Journal newspapers. 

In his early teens, Clyde’s passion for the guitar led him being a founding member of the band “The Fugitives”, a widely popular rock band based in Decatur, Illinois.  During his years at EIU he was instrumental in co-founding the bands “The Fresh Clover Blues” and “Mother Fox”.  In his later music career he was a thirty year member of “The Artistics” band in Charleston, and was able to realize his greatest joy of playing onstage with his drummer son, Trey, when he joined the band.  Father and son realized the distinct honor of playing in Las Vegas, a dream both had shared for years.

Clyde’s family would like to thank all his friends for their acts of kindness during his illness.  Clyde asked that a special thank you be made to his high school buddies who called weekly to cheer him on, to his tennis partners for their treasured visits and to his friends who supplied him with endless Dairy Queen Treats and BBQ dinners. 

A private family service will be observed, but those wishing to remember Clyde, can stop by Caudill-King Funeral Home, Wednesday, August 21, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or are encouraged to make a donation to the Coles County Animal Shelter in lieu of flowers.

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