PORT GIBSON — Sim C. Dulaney Jr., 85, died unexpectedly at his home, on “The Hill,” in Port Gibson with his extended family.

Growing up mostly deaf from an early age quinine overdose, Mr. Dulaney worked hard and raised a loving Christian family. He died clear of mind, but an elderly body.

He had just days before read the ‘Nativity Story’ and passed out presents to his children and grandchildren with a smile on his face and a “twinkle” in his eyes.

Sim served in the U.S. Army from 1948 to1950. Upon graduation from Delta State with a degree in accounting/chemistry, he attended Ole Miss Law School and later finished at Jackson School of Law.

Sim Dulaney’s life was varied and fruitful. Having farming roots in South Carolina, he started Dulaney and Son Farms, now Dulaney Seed, in Clarksdale.

In the early 1960s, he moved his farming operations to Leland, where he established himself with two cotton gins, farming, a law practice and a realty company in Canton. In the mid-80s, after a few years in Hattiesburg as a petroleum landman, Mr. Sim assumed a legal practice in Port Gibson where he later retired.

To many, Mr. Dulaney is best remembered for his capacity as Claiborne County Public Defender for 15 years. Through the Halls of Justice, “Mr. Sim” established the innocence of many of Claiborne County’s citizens.

To those who knew him, Mr. Dulaney was a good-hearted man and treated everyone with respect. A Delta planter — a true “southern gentleman ahead of his time” — progressive and entrepreneurial.

Mr. Dulaney will be remembered and missed by his many friends in Canton and Port Gibson. The family especially wishes to thank his devoted caregiver, Gwendolyn Smith.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Catherine Gunn.

Survivors include by one sister, Martha (Jerry) Havill, Wake Forest, N.C.; three children, Dara (Robert) Wilds of Brandon, Sim (Melinda) Dulaney III of Las Vegas, and Deborah Elizabeth (Doug) Lum of Port Gibson; and 10 grandchildren. He was a member of Stepping Stone Baptist Church in Port Gibson.

Services are noon Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, at Glenwood Funeral Home in Port Gibson with burial in Wintergreen Cemetery.

Visitation will be Thursday at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

Pallbearers will be Robert Wilds, the Honorable Michael Keyton, Fred Stuart, the Honorable Alexander Martin, David Dowell, Frank Davis, Doug Lum, Jim Hynum.

Honorary pallbearers will be Donald Carter, Dr. David Headley, Judge Isadore Patrick, Robert Gage, Hon. W.B.Duggins, Dr. Neil Wood, Lem Montgomery, Chief Calvin Jackson, Joe Bilbro, Burnice Trevilion.

Memorials may be made to Chamberlain-Hunt Academy,124 McComb Ave., Port Gibson, MS 39150.