# John F. Simms > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/John_F._Simms > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/John_F._Simms.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Simms > Source revision: 1355034941 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) American politician For the English soccer player, see [Jack Simms](/source/Jack_Simms). John F. Simms 16th Governor of New Mexico In office January 1, 1955 – January 1, 1957 Lieutenant Joseph Montoya Preceded by Edwin L. Mechem Succeeded by Edwin L. Mechem Speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives In office 1949–1951 Preceded by H. Vearle Payne Succeeded by Calvin Horn Member of the New Mexico House of Representatives In office 1947–1951 Personal details Born (1916-12-18)December 18, 1916 Albuquerque, New Mexico, US Died April 11, 1975(1975-04-11) (aged 58) Albuquerque, New Mexico, US Resting place Fairview Memorial Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico Party Democratic Spouse Ruth Reynolds (m. 1940–1975, his death) Children 5 Education University of New Mexico (BA) Yale University (LLB) Profession Attorney, rancher Signature Military service Branch/service United States Army United States Army Air Forces Battles/wars World War II **John Field Simms Jr.** (December 18, 1916 – April 11, 1975) was an American politician and lawyer from the state of [New Mexico](/source/New_Mexico) who served as the 16th [governor of New Mexico](/source/Governor_of_New_Mexico). ## Early life and education Simms was born in [Albuquerque](/source/Albuquerque%2C_New_Mexico) on December 18, 1916. He graduated from [New Mexico Military Institute](/source/New_Mexico_Military_Institute) in 1933 and from the [University of New Mexico](/source/University_of_New_Mexico) in 1937. In 1940, he received his [LL.B.](/source/Bachelor_of_laws) degree from [Yale Law School](/source/Yale_Law_School). ## Career During [World War II](/source/World_War_II), Simms joined the [United States Army Air Forces](/source/United_States_Army_Air_Forces). He served until the end of the war, primarily in England, and carried out staff assignments at [Eighth Air Force](/source/Eighth_Air_Force) headquarters and [Air Service Command](/source/Air_Materiel_Command#Air_Service_Command) headquarters. He was promoted to [lieutenant colonel](/source/Lieutenant_colonel_(United_States)) in June 1945, and left the service soon afterwards. Simms practiced law in addition to owning and operating his family's ranching business. Simms ran successfully for the [New Mexico House of Representatives](/source/New_Mexico_House_of_Representatives) in 1946 and 1948. He was chosen to serve as [Speaker](/source/Speaker_of_the_New_Mexico_House_of_Representatives) in his second term, and served from 1949 to 1951. From 1950 to 1954, Simms was a member of the New Mexico Commission for Promotion of Uniform State Laws. In 1954, Simms was the successful Democratic nominee for governor. He served one term, 1955 to 1957 and presided over an increasing federal presence in the state. He also worked to make meetings of the state legislature more public and attempted to make the state government more accessible with initiatives including answering his own office phone. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1956. After leaving office, Simms returned to his ranching interests and legal practice. ## Personal life Simms was the son of Anne Clapton (Schluter) Simms and [John F. Simms Sr.](/source/John_F._Simms_Sr.) (1885–1954), who served as an associate justice of the [New Mexico Supreme Court](/source/New_Mexico_Supreme_Court). In 1940, he married Ruth Reynolds (1915–1989), they were the parents of three sons and two daughters. Simms died in [Albuquerque, New Mexico](/source/Albuquerque%2C_New_Mexico) on April 11, 1975. He was buried at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque. The John F. Simms Building, which is a part of the [New Mexico State Capitol](/source/New_Mexico_State_Capitol) complex, is named for him.[1] In 1961 an episode of the television series [Route 66](/source/Route_66_(TV_series)), 'The Newborn', was filmed partially at his ranch according to the closing credits. ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Green Energy Project - John F Simms Jr"](https://www.generalservices.state.nm.us/green-energy-project-john-f-simms-jr.aspx). *www.generalservices.state.nm.us*. Retrieved November 5, 2020. - [John Field Simms Jr.](https://www.nga.org/governor/john-field-simms/) at National Governors Association - [John F. Simms Jr.](http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/simms-simonetti.html#141.86.84) at The Political Graveyard Party political offices Preceded by Everett Grantham Democratic nominee for Governor of New Mexico 1954, 1956 Succeeded by John Burroughs Political offices Preceded by Edwin L. Mechem Governor of New Mexico 1955–1957 Succeeded by Edwin L. Mechem v t e Governors of New Mexico U.S. Military Admin (1846–1851) Military Kearny Price Washington Munroe Civilian Bent Vigil Connelly U.S. Territory (1851–1912) Calhoun Lane Meriwether Rencher Connelly Mitchell Pile Giddings Axtell Wallace Sheldon Ross Prince Thornton Otero Hagerman Curry Mills State (since 1912) McDonald C. De Baca Lindsey Larrazolo M. Mechem Hinkle Hannett Dillon Seligman Hockenhull Tingley Miles Dempsey Mabry E. Mechem Simms E. Mechem Burroughs E. Mechem Bolack Campbell Cargo King Apodaca King Anaya Carruthers King Johnson Richardson Martinez Lujan Grisham See also Mexican governors of New Mexico, Spanish governors of New Mexico Authority control databases VIAF GND This article about a New Mexico politician is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. - [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:NewMexico-politician-stub) - [t](/source/Template_talk%3ANewMexico-politician-stub) - [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:NewMexico-politician-stub) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [John F. Simms](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Simms) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Simms?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.