Louis Barton Sims

Louis Barton Sims, born July 9, 1934, was a devoted husband, father, patriot and proud native of Hobart, Oklahoma. He passed away on November 7, 2025 surrounded by his loving children. His greatest pride and source of joy was being a husband, father and grandfather. He and his beloved wife, Gwen (Jones) Sims, also of Hobart, were married for 60 years. Together they raised five children and were blessed with seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. 
Louis was a man of integrity and quiet strength and lived a distinguished life dedicated to service—to his family, faith, country and his community. Born and raised in Hobart, Louis graduated from Hobart High School, where the lessons learned and relationships formed helped shape the foundation of his character and values.
Louis earned the Junior Master Farmer Degree his senior year. An accomplished student-athlete, he played basketball, baseball and was in the band.  His skill on the basketball court and baseball field continued into college—in the form of athletic scholarships making pursuing a college degree feasible.
Louis attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University and Oklahoma Panhandle State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Louis later continued his education at George Washington University’s Graduate School of Business and graduated from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
Upon graduation from Panhandle State University, Louis was drafted into the United States Army, where he served honorably as a Special Agent in Army Intelligence. After his military service, he became a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service. He was assigned first to Chicago and then for 17 years to Washington, D.C.
During this time, Louis protected U.S. Presidents from John F. Kennedy through Ronald Reagan. Notably, during the Nixon Administration, he was called to testify during the Watergate hearings in federal court as the custodian of the Watergate tapes. These hearings eventually resulted in Nixon’s resignation.
Louis went on to an appointment as the Chief of the United States National Central Bureau of INTERPOL and served four years.
After retiring from government service, Louis joined Pennzoil as a Vice President of Corporate Security that took him around the world.
In 1994, Louis and his wife Gwen returned home to Hobart. He commuted to Houston weekly until retiring from Pennzoil in 1996. He then worked for EEX Corporation and retired a third and final time five years later.
Louis worked tirelessly for the betterment of Oklahoma and his hometown of Hobart. He was actively involved in economic development and civic leadership, serving on numerous boards and committees, including Hobart Main Street, Hobart Industries, the Hobart Economic Development Authority, the Kiowa County Industrial Development Authority, the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority, Searchlight, the OSU Dean’s Advisory Committee and the Oklahoma State Reformatory Advisory Committee.
He also served six years as the Chairman of the Board for the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum.
All of these voluntary roles were undertaken out of dedication to his community. He was honored to be named a Main Street Hero from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce Main Street Program twice (2006 and 2016); the Citizen of the Year by the Hobart Chamber of Commerce (2006); inducted into the Oklahoma Panhandle University Hall of Fame (2021) and received the Hobart Main Street Legacy Award (2023).
More important than all of his achievements, Louis cherished his involvement in the First Presbyterian Church of Hobart, Oklahoma. He exemplified a life firmly rooted in his Christian faith. A friendly and compassionate listener, he made everyone feel valued, seen and understood. Louis would lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it and had a way of offering wise counsel at just the right time.  
Louis lived by a simple principle that guided his life and inspired all who knew him: “Work hard. Never give up. Serve others.”
Louis was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Gwen (Jones) Sims; his parents, Bryan O.B. and Evelyn Sims; and his siblings, Lucy (husband Paul) Bieberdorf and Robert (wife Dorothy) Sims.
Louis is survived by his brother, Dr. James Sims and by his children: Carol (husband Tim) Binghom; Dr. William (wife Amy) Sims; Janice Sims (husband Glen Harrison); Joy (husband Dale) Cook; and Anne Sims. Louis was blessed with grandchildren Heather and Josh Sims, Matt Burton, Brooke Rogers, Sam Wilson, Annie Herbst, Alexandra Cook. He is also survived by great-grandchildren Violet, Jude, Milo Nosworthy-Sims and Ledger, Haynes, Griffin and Summer Herbst.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to Traditions Hospice of Elk City, Elkview General Hospital, Sinor Ambulance Services, the Hobart Police Department, and Ray & Martha’s Funeral Home for their exceptional care and support.
You may honor Louis by making donations to these organizations in Hobart, Oklahoma: First Presbyterian Church, Hobart Food Pantry, General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum, Searchlight LLC and Kiowa County Museum.
A public celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Hancock Event Center, 430 N. Jefferson St, Hobart, Oklahoma.