T.A. Sims: Fort Worth's Education Pioneer

0:00It's April 3rd. This is Dallas News Today, powered by AI. I'm Cory with the story. Fort Worth just lost a true pioneer in education. TA, Sims, the longest serving member of the Fort Worth Independent School District Board, passed away on March 23rd at age 88. Elected back in 1983, he served until 2019, becoming the district's first black board president and guiding 37. Counseling classes under seven superintendents. Beyond the boardroom, Sims was a pharmacist who co-owned Sims Pharmacy and built Sims Enterprises. President Ronald Reagan even appointed him to a National Sickle Cell Advisory Board. His impact ran deep from advocating for college access and black businesses to earning honors like a school named after him and a living legend. Award. Family and friends paint him as a humble servant leader, always helping without fanfare. His daughter called him her champion and best friend, while grandkids knew him as Papa,

1:01who taught them to speak up and chase dreams at HBCUs like Prairie View A&M and Howard. Community folks, including a city council member, remember his hands on mentoring, chartering buses for high schoolers to visit colleges. He filled his pharmacy with free Christmas toys and showed up daily at ODY at high, keeping kids on track like a second father. Faith anchored everything, with family prayers a daily ritual right up to his final hospital moments. Funeral services are set for next weekend at Carter Metropolitan CME Church, Visitation Friday, April 10th at 10am, Service Saturday, April 11th. Sims's legacy of showing up and lifting others indoors, inspiring generations to serve just like he did.