Howard Allen Sykes

Howard Allen Sykes, age 100, passed away peacefully in Waco, TX on January 25, 2019. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. February 11, 2019, at Lincoln Memorial Park, Lincoln, NE with burial following at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery. Howard was born September 6, 1918 on the family farm in DeWitt, NE. His parents were Dora Schneider Sykes & Ward Sykes. He graduated from high school in Hallam, NE. Howard worked his way through college graduating in 1942 from the University of Nebraska with a degree in Geology. While attending school he also completed 4 years of Army ROTC. Upon graduation he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He married Wilma Marguerite Carsten, his high school sweetheart, on October 30, 1942, shortly before his departure to serve in the Army as an Ordinance Officer in the Philippines and then in Japan after World War II ended. His daughter, Rebecca Ann Sykes, was born in Lincoln, NE in 1944. Soon after, the family moved to Oklahoma City, OK where their son, Howard Allen Sykes, Jr., was born. Howard’s career as a geologist enabled the family to live in Pittsburg, PA, Ardmore, OK, and later they returned to Oklahoma City where they raised their children. Eventually they moved to Centennial, CO where they retired. Howard and Wilma were active members of the United Methodist church congregations in each community where they lived. Howard proudly served his country in the Army and Army Reserve for a total of 30 years and retired with the rank of full colonel. He enjoyed traveling, golfing and bowling in his leisure time and was a skilled craftsman. His hobbies included restoring antique toys and specialty items to their original condition; then gifting to family and friends. He especially enjoyed working with wood and building intricate structures such as a replica scale model of Wilma’s two-story 100 year old family home in Hallam. He was the devoted husband to Wilma for 73 years. Howard is survived by his daughter, Rebecca Ann Sykes Brooks of Tustin, CA, son, Howard Allen Sykes, Jr. & wife, Jane of Waco, TX, grandson, Brian Elliott Sykes and wife, Kelly of St. Louis, MO, grandson, Kevin Carsten Sykes and wife Jenna of Ft. Worth TX, and great grandchildren, Elliott Austing Sykes, Lucy Charlotte Sykes, Macarthur Tate Sykes & Alice Aubrey Sykes. The family would like to thank Howard’s many care givers with special consideration to Healthcare Resort of Waco. Sincere gratitude goes to Kathy Jones, with whom Howard built a special relationship. The Sykes’ family will always appreciate her devoted level of comfort and care. Additional thanks are extended to Nurse Kathy Davis of Providence Hospice and many other hospice staff members for their exceptional treatment and professional care. Howard, you will be missed but never forgotten. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be made to Providence Hospice, 6700 Sanger Ave, Waco, TX 76710 or the University of Nebraska Foundation, 1010 Lincoln Mall, Ste. 300, Lincoln, NE 68508.