February 21, 2012

WATERTOWN, N.Y.  —  James D. Nims Sr., 90, of Palmer Street Apartments, passed away Monday, Feb. 20, at Samaritan Keep Home. 

He was born Jan. 23, 1922, in Depauville, the son of Levingston Alonzo Nims and Edith Mary (Denny) Nims, he graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology - School of Art and Design, Rochester

As a Veteran of World War II, he flew 101 combat missions as a pilot with the 27th Fighter-Bomber Group over Italy and retired as Major in the USAF (RES).

Mr. Nims was employed by East Washing Machine company in Syracuse, New York as Product Illustrator. He later joined Sealright Co., Inc., a national manufacturer of packaging and packaging equipment. He served at the company's Fulton, New York installation and at the Corporate offices in Kansas City, Missouri, retiring from Sealright January 1, 1990 after 37 years of service. At the time of his retirement, he was purchasing manager of the Eastern Division.

After retiring, Mr. Nims moved back to the North Country, spending his summers in Clayton on the river he loved. 

He enjoyed fishing and boating and always maintained a positive attitude about his life, bringing a smile to everyone he came in contact with. 

He also played a great game of shuffleboard for a blind guy.

Surviving are his wife, Grace Denesha Nims; a son and his wife, James D. Nims, Jr. and Edith (Ivory) Nims; two grandchildren, James D. Nims III and Elissa M. Nims; and four great-grandchildren, Taylor (TJ) James Nims, Eliza Brooke Reidy, Jacob James Nims, and Aidan James Nims, all of Watertown. 

A sister, Harriet Nims Mosier, and a brother, Clayton Nims, both died before him.

There will be no funeral or calling hours. 

Arrangements are with Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Watertown.

Donations in his name may be made to a charity of your choice.

Information provided by Cummings Funeral Service and Newzjunky.com, Watertown