Dedicated to the Protection of Virginia's Rivers and Streams

Float Fishermen of Virginia, Inc.

Donald Mitchell Sims Sr., 62, formerly of Charlottesville, passed away on Sunday, September 30, 2012.

"Don" was born on March 3, 1950, in Jackson, Mississippi, to Donald Lafayette and Evelyn Rosser Sims. He graduated from Fork Union Military Academy and attended Virginia Military Institute and University of Virginia He was a founding member and owner of Buckingham Parachute Center for many years before moving into the office equipment industry. He worked for Monroe prior to finding his dream job as a technical trainer for Cobb Technologies in Richmond, where he worked for 17 years.

To say that "Dickel Don", lived life to its fullest would be somewhat of an understatement. He loved skydiving, canoeing, traveling, civil war and World War II history, the Blue Ridge Mountains, gardening, storytelling, his dogs, and walking at least 1,000 miles a year. He was 62 going on 30, and he never turned down a good time. He is survived by his son, daughter and their spouses, three grandchildren, two sisters, six nieces and nephews, countless river children and "dumb" children.

"River Daddy", a long-time member of the Float Fisherman didn't get a chance to enlighten his grandchildren on the intricacies of paddling a canoe, but enough of us paid attention, some of the time, to pass his canoeing expertise on. He was as unique as they come, and he had a moral compass second to none. Don was loved by more than he knew, and he will be sorely missed.

Donald M. Sims Sr.

March 3, 1950 - September 30, 2012