WARNER ROBINS -- Former City Councilman Tom Simms Jr. died of natural causes, according to a medical examiner’s determination made after toxicology results returned early this year. Houston County Coroner Danny Galpin said the results showed only a non-lethal dose of hydrocodone in Simms’ blood. Houston County Medical Examiner Dr. James Whitaker ruled Jan. 4 that Simms died of heart disease.

A cause of death was not determined after Simms died Sept. 25 alone in his home. While toxicology reports are typical for unattended deaths, Galpin said at the time the tests were ordered partly because more than four dozen pill bottles were found at Simms’ home, and most were empty.

The official determination, Galpin said, was Simms died from generalized arterial sporadic cardiovascular disease. Galpin said it’s basically hardening and build-up of plaque in the arteries.

Simms served one term as councilman and did not seek re-election in 2011. He was a community advocate and avid Little League volunteer.

To contact writer Christina M. Wright, call 256-9685.