[MainstreetTowns] Re Lou Sims

Sun Nov 9 11:28:12 CST 2025

 Randy,
I second your comments.
Lou was an amazing person who just knew how to get things done.
In addition to Lou's contributions to the Oklahoma Main Street network, he, Stephen Boyd, and other Hobart Main Streeters hosted a very early on-site tour in Hobart for the newly forming OU Institute for Quality Communities.  This really helped the founders of this outreach program to understand the rural leaders and rural needs out there.  It was an incredible day.
Just a couple of years ago, the leaders of the OSU Rural Renewal Initiative held their first-ever annual Symposium in a rural area (and not in Stillwater).  The Symposium was held at Quartz Mountain State Lodge.  I suggested a post-conference tour of Hobart since most attendees would be headed north and east to their homes.  Approximately 30 people attended this bus tour of Hobart followed by a wonderful, catered luncheon in the Stanley Building, an Oklahoma Main Street awards winner.  This was a magical afternoon for a group who came from across the United States for the Symposium.  This created a new activity for the Symposium.
The following year, the Symposium was at Lake Murray State Lodge.  Tours included 3 businesses and industries in the Madill area.  Just last week, the Symposium was in Woodward.  Jeremy Zeller led the tour through downtown Woodward.  Unfortunately, I had a conflict that day but got to the Symposium the next day.  I heard nothing but incredible reviews about Jeremy's tour and the downtown's vibrancy.  Many people never had been to downtown Woodward before.  Attendees were from as far away as Nova Scotia!  
Lou set into motion many things like this that we will learn about in years to come.  
As with all of you Oklahoma Main Streeters, what you are doing today will be magnified with successes for years to come.  Please keep up the great work out there.
Lou will forever be a Main Street Landmark.
Ron

    On Friday, November 7, 2025 at 06:42:09 PM CST, <randy.mcfarlin53 at gmail.com> wrote:  

 Quite a remarkable man, I feel honored to have known him.
Randy McFarlin 
Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 7, 2025, at 3:25 PM, Rusty Milroy <rmilroy at mabreybank.com> wrote:

He will be missed.

Rusty Milroy

Commercial Lending Officer, VP                                        

NMLS #415867

O:918-756-7964 | C:918-230-4410

From: MainstreetTowns <mainstreettowns-bounces at lists.onenet.net>On Behalf Of Kelli Yadon
Sent: Friday, November 7, 2025 2:40 PM
To: Main Street listserv (MainstreetTowns at lists.onenet.net) <mainstreettowns at lists.onenet.net>
Subject: [MainstreetTowns] Lou Sims

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We were saddened to hear of the passing of Lou Sims of Hobart. The best part of our job is getting to know some truly remarkable people who get involved in their communities to make a difference.

Lou was one of those.

He was the driving force behind the success of their local Main Street program when they were selected in 2002. He served on the Board of Directors for 15 years, was Chair of the Design Committee and developed their storefront restoration grant program. He worked with the city to acquire run-down buildings to resell to investors to renovate and restore, one of them serving as an incubator for business development. The results of his efforts with the Main Street program resulted in numerous façade renovations, new businesses and a major industry moving to downtown. He was instrumental in the development of the General Tommy Franks’ Leadership Institute and Museum, served as a member of the Oklahoma Main Street Advisory board and was a board member of the Oklahoma Main Street Foundation. He was also our Legacy Award winner in 2023. And these are just his Main Street highlights.

He also led a very full, professional life.

Sims was enlisted for three years in Army Intelligence, which started a decorated career of service. Louis finished with the Army and became a Special Agent for the U.S. Secret Service. He served and protected 6 U.S. Presidents starting with John Fitzgerald Kennedy and finished under Ronald Reagan.

He retired from the Secret Service, continuing into a career in the oil industry with Pennzoil. He eventually earned his second retirement as Vice President of Pennzoil. Louis wasn’t quite ready to leave the workforce after the second retirement and became a Vice President for Career Enserch Exploration in the energy industry.

He returned to Hobart after his third retirement and was a chair or member of several boards (including Main Street) to serve and improve the community, schools, and economy.

Sims also served as the Director of Association of Former Agents of U.S. Secret Service for Oklahoma. His career was written at the request of the U.S. Secret Service for the USSS National Training Center Library. The Secret Service has used his career to teach current and new agents how the USSS has developed since the JFK assassination.

Thank you for your service to your country, your state and your community. RIP.

Kelli Yadon | Program Coordinator

Oklahoma Main Street Center | Oklahoma Department of Commerce

Kelli.Yadon at okcommerce.gov

C: 405.778.9375

OKcommerce.gov

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