For those who knew and loved John “Roger” Simms, the honor of being the first baby born in 1949 at Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach, Florida was just the beginning of a lifetime of accomplishments. With a camera in hand, he would explore the world he lived in and soar the skies above to get the perfect, often award-winning, picture. He was at his best when he looked through the lens of his camera intent on showcasing his subject – everything from space shuttles or a family of Southern bald eagles, to a grandmother holding hands with her grandchild on the beach.
But there was much more to the 1967 Seabreeze High School graduate, known affectionately to colleagues as the “Cliff Claven” of the New Smyrna Beach office due to his endless knowledge on a variety of subjects. He was a loving husband and father, a good friend to many, a professional photographer with a passion for his craft and knowing when and where to be to get the front page photo. He also was someone who left a lasting impression wherever he went.
Roger is pre-deceased by his parents, Bernard and Martha Simms. He is survived by wife, Reba, and son, John; siblings, B.G. Simms, Daytona Beach, Catherine and Bo Frank, Paris, Kentucky, Charlotte and Bill Marshall, Houston, Texas, and Richard Simms, New York, New York. He is also survived by nephews, William Marshall, David Marshall, Simms Frank, Matthew Simms; nieces, Mandy Kelvin, Catherine Marshall, and Charlotte Simms.
Donations may be made to the Roger Simms Scholarship at Daytona Beach Community College School of Photography, DBCC Foundation, P.O. Box 2811, Daytona Beach, FL 32120. Please designate to Roger Simms Photography Scholarship.
