Duane Hodges Simms, Jr., age 62, of Cumming, passed away on Friday, January 1, 2010 at his home. He was born in Atlanta on March 7, 1947 and is preceded in death by his father, Duane Simms, Sr..
Prior to his retirement in 1999, Mr. Simms was employed as an engineer at Lockheed for 30 years. His career included assignments on the C-130, C-5, and F-22 aircraft programs. As the company transitioned into the computer age, he had key assignments in the transition from manual paper based configuration and data management systems to computer-based systems. His contributions were one of the key elements in helping Lockheed maintain a leadership role in those management systems.
He is survived by his wife, Laurene Clark of Cumming; mother, Jamie Simms of Warner Robins; children, Tracie (Timothy) Maxhimer of Hiram; Duane Hodges Simms, III (Lisa) of Duluth; step-children, Rev. Dawn (John) Cooley of Louisville, KY, Dr. Karen Skjei of Rochester, MN, Thomas (Jennifer) Skjei of Richmond, VA; sister, Diana Ward of Washington State; eight grandchildren, and a host of other friends and relatives.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 4, 2010 at 1:00pm at the Northwest Unitarian Universalist Congregation: 1025 Mt. Vernon Hwy NW, Sandy Springs, GA 30327. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association,
http://www.stopdiabetes.com.
Condolences may be expressed on-line at
http://www.mcdonaldandson.com.
Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home & Crematory, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 886-9899
