Chester Peter Simms (89) of Tulsa passed from our world on April 28, 2016. Born Chester Szymczyk in Chicago, Illinois on October 4, 1926, Chester served in the United States Army as a Combat Engineer during WWII from December 1944 to December 1946, during which he spent time in the Philippines, Okinawa and Korea. After being honorably discharged he returned to Chicago where he worked and continued his education, receiving his Bachelor's degree in Marketing Management from DePaul University. He married Mary Margaret Rowe of Elgin, Illinois, changed his last name to Simms, and Chester and Mary moved to Tulsa in 1958 where he opened a hearing aid business for Zenith servicing the hard of hearing for over 40 years. Chester and Mary raised 8 children; Mark, David, Patrick, Gail, Glenn, Catherine, Curtis and Warren. Chester was active in multiple service organizations such as Knights of Columbus, and Sertoma. He was also active in his church at Saint Pius Catholic Church and was a founding father of the Church of Resurrection. He was an avid handball player in his younger days and became a regular on Tulsa golf courses in his later years.

Chester was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Mary. He is survived by his second wife Denise M Wurdack, Mark (& Terri) Simms of Hawaii, David (& Elizabeth) Simms of Scottsdale, AZ, Patrick Simms of Tulsa, Gail (& John) Gonshor of OKC, Glenn Simms of Tulsa, Catherine (& Glenn) Uhren of Tulsa, Curtis (& Leslie) Simms of Tulsa, Warren (& Val) Simms of Tulsa, 18 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Chester's memorial service will be held 9:00 a.m. Saturday, May 7th at Church of the Resurrection. Visitation will be Friday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel, 918-291-3500.