"Terry" John Terrence Sikes

Our world has lost a champion of good. Terry Sikes, husband, son, father, brother, brother-in-law, nephew, uncle, musician, running pal and friend of so many has left us.

Terry leaves his wife, Bonita Golden-Sikes, his son, JJ Snow (Sherry), his parents, Champion Dewey “Dude” and Naomi Caruthers Sikes, his big sister, Peggy Sikes Byers (David), brothers, Ted Sikes and Tom Sikes (Denny), brother in-law, Ron Jones, nieces Marcie Jones Davis (Clay), Savannah, Sierra and Phoebe Sikes, nephew, Patrick Jones, his aunts, Shirley Caruthers Sapp and Mary Lois Reed (Donald), and so many people he touched with generosity and unselfish joy.

Terry had many pleasures in life. He believed the most important day in his life arrived when he realized that he was the one and only person who could challenge himself to be best he could be. He chose to embrace each day for the gift it is. He delighted in sharing what he learned and he offered us ways to understand that each of us has the ability to always find the good among us… even when we question horrible things that happen.

Terry lost loved ones earlier in his life:. his wife of 16 years, Terry L. Wilson Sikes and his sister Paula Sikes Jones. He cherished his time with both.

If this senseless tragedy can make a mark, please remember the man and his willingness to forgive. For if there is anything we can do to truly honor Terry it will be to forgive and not harbor ill will. It will only hurt us and those we love.

Wake up and greet each day with a new sense of adventure. Why? Because you can.

Terry was an advocate of giving. To honor his commitment, donations to a worthy cause would be best. All running organizations listed offer scholarships or grants to young runners to help them develop their athletic potential.

dipseafoundation.org or floridastriders.com/scholarship or jtcrunning.com or grandcanyontrust.org

A gathering Friday evening between 6 and 8PM (running attire okay) and a Saturday 11AM service will take place at First United Methodist Church- 225 E Duval Street, downtown.