Arthur Trow MIMS (VETERAN)

MEDICAL DOCTOR US Army
August 29, 1920-May 16, 2020


*Photo, courtesy of Mary (Coggin) Russell

*Obituary
At 99 years and almost 9 months, Dr. A.T. Mims went to be with the angels and our Lord in Heaven on May 16, 2020. Born August 29,1920 in Trinity, Texas to Arthur Van Mims and Lucinda Trow Mims - the oldest of three sons. The family moved to Jacksonville and then to Palestine, Texas where he lived until graduating from high school. Growing up in Jacksonville, there was no indoor plumbing and in order to bathe, the water had to be heated on a wood burning stove. Once his youngest brother was born, because there were only 2 bedroom in the house, he had to sleep in the kitchen. Heating in winter was supplied by fireplace and stove.

Even while growing up, he already knew that medicine was his calling. Dr. Mims attended Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas for two years before transferring to The University of Texas ( HOOK EM HORNS) and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Zoology. He met his wife to be, Marjorie Fisher, at Southwestern and the got married on February 22, 1942 prior to attending Baylor Medical School in Dallas. After one year, he transferred to Southwestern Medical School in Dallas where he attended as part of The Army Specialized Training Program with a commitment to serve in the Army upon graduation. After graduating in 1945, he went to Baylor University Hospital to start his internship. His family life was progressing at the same time and it was during this time that his first child, Charles Arthur was born. In July 1946 he was assigned by the army to 1st Bruns General Hospital in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and then to the separation center in Camp Stoneman, California as a captain medical officer. He would serve there until June 1948. During this time his second child, Edward Trow, was born.

His passion for medicine continued to evolve during his internship and he realized his driving interest in medicine was in surgery. It was where he felt the most connected with his patients and his dream. So after leaving the army, Dr. Mims travelled to Dallas, having been recruited by Baylor University Hospital to do his surgical residency. After one year he transferred to Parkland Hospital in Dallas to complete his residency. His third child, Ann, was born during this time..

Dr. Mims had always wanted to practice in a small town and while in residency at Parkland he met three doctors from Hereford, who convinced him to come to the Panhandle and see it for himself. Consequently, upon completion of his surgical residency in July 1952 he set out on a journey to Hereford that would define the next 64 years of his life. He practiced medicine in Hereford for over 36 years. While engaged in his studies he quickly realized that in addition to the technical accomplishments of surgery, medicine fed his central desire to “help people”. Most people in Hereford eventually knew first-hand of his skill and his care. Although he might occasionally forget people’s names, he could always remember precisely what surgery he had performed and when.

In Hereford, his desire to help people went beyond medicine. Dr. Mims became very involved in the local community through his association in various organizations and activities. A deeply religious man, he was heavily involved in the Methodist Church. He was extremely proud of his membership in Lions Club International where he was conferred a Life Membership in 2015. Other activities included involvement in the Hereford Chamber of Commerce, becoming president for a year in 1957, was named “citizen of the year” in 1978, and received the prestigious “Bull Chip” award for community service in 1988. Dr. Mims was elected to the Hereford independent School Board in 1964 and served as trustee and president. He was a Shriner, a member of the Masonic Lodge and was actively involved with the Shriners Crippled Children’s clinics. He was named to the Deaf Smith County Hospital Board in 1958 and maintained a position on that board until 2010. Dr. Mims was proud to be a member of the American College of Surgeons and was one of the original 150 members in the Texas Surgical Society. After retiring from active medical practice in Hereford in 1988, Dr. Mims later worked for the VA hospital in Amarillo for four years before permanently retiring from active medical practice in 1994.

Although his practice in medicine led to his multifaceted involvement in the community, it was not his only passion in life. While growing up in Palestine, he attended a dance at which his father was a member of the dance band. From that moment on he was hooked on music. He, his brothers Joe and Jim, and his two best friends, together with his father formed a dance band that played at many functions, including depression-era lumber camps. His expertise was on the clarinet and saxophone, and his talent led to a band scholarship to attend Southwestern University. He continued to play in dance bands, symphony orchestras, and collegiate bands before graduating from the University of Texas. Dr. Mims not only loved to play music, he loved to sing and joined the choir at the Methodist Church. In 1974 he was asked to join the Hereford Chamber Singers and his musical passion was stoked for the next 21 years. He recalls this time as the most favorite of his life. Through this organization he and his wife Margie were able to travel around the world singing and making friends through music. For years after retiring from medicine, he continued to stay involved with the Methodist Church and choir. Though unable to play an instrument in his last years, he continued to marvel at the skills of musical performers on television.

Dr. Mims loved the outdoors. He was an avid waterfowl and game bird hunter and enjoyed the many hunting opportunities the panhandle had to offer. His wife Margie often was quoted as saying “beef is $1.50 a pound and this duck is about $25”. If he hadn’t been a surgeon, he might have been a cowboy. To prove this he tried his hand at ranching in Colorado, which he also loved and where he learned new skills working with his hands. The country, the people, the lifestyle, the atmosphere in Hereford all contributed to his love for and the enjoyment of the community. He had landed exactly where he belonged.

Dr. Mims finally left Hereford after 64 years in 2016 when he moved to Cedar Park, Texas where he lived the last years of his life. He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Dr. Joe Mims and Jim Mims, and by his beloved wife, Marjorie Mims. He is survived by his three (3) children, Charles, Edward, and Ann Mims, his two (2) daughters-in-law, Cindy Mims, Amanda Hardick, seven (7) grandchildren, Jason Mims, Ryan Mims, Matthew Mims, Brenda Bomia, Russ Ercolani, Mark Offutt and Oliver Offutt, and the (10) great-grandchildren, Samantha Mims, Andrew Mims, Adam Mims, Elizabeth Mims, Brooklyn Bomia, Carter Bomia, Taylor Ercolani, Kendall Ercolani, Cameron Ercolani, and Rebecca Offutt. In addition there are numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, grandchildren’s spouses and others.

Due to the current medical environment there will be a viewing at the PARKSIDE CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Thursday, May 21st for anyone who wishes to pay their last respects and say “goodbye” to Dr Mims. We ask that those who wish to do so follow the recommendations of the CDC and the State of Texas. There will be masks and gloves provided for those who wish to wear them and don't have them. On Friday, May 22nd there will be a private graveside ceremony for immediate family. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a donation please do so to The First Methodist Church, Kings Manor, or his favorite charities, Smile Train or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Although the exact date isn’t known, there will are plans for a life celebration of Dr. A.T. Mims in the future when conditions are safer and better for all.
God bless you all.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Arthur, please visit our Tree Store.
Obituary: https://www.parksidechapelfh.com

Contributed on 7/19/22 by neldapat
Email This Contributor

Suggest a Correction

Record #: 526369

Don't Follow