James J. Simms

Patrolman James J. Simms, of the Communications Division of the Baltimore City Police Department, died Sunday of cancer at Good Samaritan Hospital. He was 59 and lived on Fair Oaks Avenue.

A Mass of Christian burial for Mr. Simms will be offered at 10 a.m. tomorrow at St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church, McClean Boulevard and Northern Parkway.

On the Communications Division staff since 1987, he had worked in the Traffic Division since 1957, the year after he joined the force and was assigned to the Southern District.

Born in Baltimore, he served in the Navy during and after the Korean War.

He was a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and of the Parkville Post of the American Legion.

He is survived by his wife, the former Betty Catherine Morrow; two sons, James J. Simms Jr. of Parkville and Gregory Steven Simms of Baltimore; a stepson, W. Thomas Roth of Fallston; a sister, Patricia Puls of Baltimore; two brothers, John Simms of Catonsville and Lawrence Simms of Rosedale; a grandson; and two stepgranddaughters.