Roll Call Tribute

Stephen Michael "Steve" Sims 

October 17, 1960 - September 13, 2023 

Stephen Michael Sims was born on October 17, 1960, in Jacksonville, Illinois. He was the son of the late Van Dean Sims and Evelyn Janet Sims.

His family moved to Springfield, Illinois when he was 3 years old and soon after his younger brother Stanley Dean Sims was born. Steve attended school in Springfield and graduated from Springfield Southeast High School in 1978. He studied at the University of Illinois in Springfield earning his associate degree.

Steve moved to Texas in 1991 to continue his education at The University of Texas in Arlington where he graduated in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree. He then continued his studies at his beloved Texas A&M University in College Station where he earned a master's degree in urban planning. He started his career at the City of Farmers Branch and worked there from 1995-1999. In 1999 he started working with the City of Plano as a City Planner. He was still employed with the City of Plano as a Lead Planner of Heritage and Information when he died unexpectedly.

Steve met Susan Stolte in 1999 at church. He was a man of deep faith and loved the Lord. Susan was a widow with 3 teenagers. They married on February 17, 2001. He was a very patient man and cared deeply for his stepchildren, Josh, Ryan and Ashley. As the children got older, they each married. Steve's greatest joy was his 7 grandchildren. He never had children of his own and had much joy helping Susan babysit the grandchildren. He loved attending their birthday parties, holidays with the family and sports they played. He especially liked when they spent the night and played video games, basketball and all the fun activities. They called him Papa Steve and he adored them. They will greatly miss him.

Susan and Steve enjoyed traveling together to many different places in the United States, Canada and Europe. Steve had many interests. He loved to read, he greatly enjoyed pop and Christian music. He loved to look at maps and plan out vacations. He loved high school and college basketball and football. He was an avid Texas A&M fan and proud to be a fighting Texas Aggie.

Steve was a very patient, caring man. He was a tremendous husband to Susan. His memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved him. He lived a life of integrity, and he left a legacy of faith and love. He loved the Lord Jesus with all his heart and is in Heaven now.

Steve is survived by his loving and heartbroken wife Susan Sims of Frisco, Texas; brother Stanley Dean Sims of Springfield, Illinois; stepchildren Joshua Stolte and his wife Stacey of Dallas, Texas, Ryan Stolte and his wife Terrie, of Denison, Texas, Ashley McDonald and husband Josh her of Denison, Texas; grandchildren are Madison McDonald, Danny Stolte, Derek Stolte, Colton McDonald, Mia McDonald, Gavin Stolte, and Skyler Stolte; mother and father in law Kay and John Loucks of McKinney, Texas; brother-in-law Bob Loucks and his wife Judy of Colton, Oregon; sister-in-law Sandra Nunn of Dallas, Texas. He has numerous additional family members in Illinois.

There will be a memorial service to celebrate Steve’s life at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at Allen Family Funeral Options, officiated by Pastor Peter Park. If you wish to join the service via webcast, please visit: http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/92582 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Steve’s honor to the American Heart Association at https://www.heart.org or Chase Oaks Church, 281 Legacy Dr., Plano, Texas 75023.

SERVICES
Memorial Service
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
1:00 PM

ALLEN FAMILY FUNERAL OPTIONS
2112 W Spring Creek Pkwy
Plano, TX 75023