Daniel Lee Sims

Wasilla resident Daniel Lee Sims, 49, died May 29, 2011, after a courageous three-year battle with cancer, with his loving wife and family by his side at Providence Extended Care in Anchorage.

Remembrance services are at 2 p.m., Tuesday, June 7, at Church on the Rock, 3571 W. Machen Road, Wasilla. Honorary pallbearers include Ronnie Sims, David Sims, Heather Townsend, Wyatt Townsend, Shane Foley, Jolene Foley, Nicole Foley and Sam Hatfield.

Daniel was born Feb. 19, 1962, in Tucola, Ill., to Ronald and Mita Sims. He grew up in Ambler and lived in Anchorage, Chitna and Wasilla. He was a trained mason. He also worked on the cleanup of the Exxon Valdez oil spill and for the Alaska Railroad.

Daniel met his loving wife and soul mate Gina in Wasilla about 24 years ago. They were married five years ago and both agreed that their years together were their best.

Daniel was a deeply spiritual person who enjoyed reading the Bible, drawing, spending time in the garden with his wife, playing with his grandchildren, listening to music and texting. As a burn patient, Dan overcame many obstacles. Left without a hand on one arm and without fingers on the other hand, he could drive, tend to the garden and kids and text. His positive outlook and his faith in God never wavered. He never pitied himself or questioned God’s plans for him. His great sense of humor, genuine kindness and unconditional love for family and friends will be cherished and remembered by all.

“The quality of our hours are absolutely more important than the quantity,” the family wrote. “Dan’s life was so rich that he touched everyone first with his spirit, and now with his soul. Jeremiah 29:11 says: ‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ Dan believed in God’s plans for him. Do not cry for what is not, smile for what was.”

Preceding him in death were his mother, Mita, and his brother, Jeffery.

Surviving are his wife, Gina of Wasilla; father, Ronald Sims of Wasilla; brothers, David Sims, Ronnie Sims and his wife Janni and their children, all of Wasilla; father and mother-in-law, Gene and Gerri Sauer of Knik; step-children, Heather Townsend and her husband Wyatt and their children, Shane Foley and his wife Jolene and their children, and Nicole Foley and her fiancé Sam and their children, all of Wasilla; his heart’s daughter, Rosalynn Neeley and her husband Bob and their children; his family in California, including grandmother-in-law Sophie Sachs, brothers-in-law Bob and Mike Sauer and their families, and sisters-in-law, Annette and Stefanie and their families.

In lieu of flowers, donations of annual and perennials to be planted in Dan’s memory, would be welcomed. Contributions to assist with expenses can be sent to: Wells Fargo Bank account No. 8965937397, 581 W. Parks Hwy., Wasilla, AK 99654.

Valley Funeral Home cared for the family.