James W. Sykes

James W. Sykes (Jim) went to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on March 28, 2010 at the age of 89 years old. He passed away from natural causes at his home in Buda, Texas. Jim was born May 14, 1920 in Nocona, TX to C.B. and Lettie Sykes. He had one brother and three sisters. He was married to Nell Dean on January 21, 1984 in Austin, TX. He proudly served in the United States Army Air Force 211th during World War II from 1940 to 1945 and was stationed in Australia, Egypt and Italy. After the war, he attended Oklahoma University and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. He retired from the U.S. Government Federal Dept. of Roads in 1972. After his retirement, he had a successful career building homes and motels throughout Texas. He loved to reminisce with his children and grandchildren about his childhood and those times during the war and about his college years. He always made sure everyone knew he had lived a very fulfilling life. He enjoyed farming, tending to his cows and spending time with his family and friends and oh… let's not forget his Dachshunds. He enjoyed them tremendously. Survivors include his wife, Nell Dean Sykes of Buda; two daughters, Kandace Heimer and husband Jim of Houston, TX and Rene Murray Sewell of Kyle, TX; four sons, Tim Murray and wife Debra of Fort Worth, TX, Johnny Murray of Lutz, FL, Lonnie Murray and wife Sheila Of Boyd, TX and David Murray of Jacksonville, FL; twelve grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and many friends. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and sisters and his beloved Dachshund Misty Dawn. Serving as pallbearers will be Mark Endicott, James Anderson, Tim Murray, Johnny Murray, Lonnie Murray, David Murray, Todd Bell, Brian Vandewalle, John Paul Murray, Chris Murray and Jason Stovall. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 2620 S. Congress Ave. Funeral service will be held 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at the chapel of Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home with interment to follow at Onion Creek Memorial Park in Manchaca, TX.