Richard Earl Sikes

Richard Earl Sikes Richard Earl Sikes, late of Austin, TX, was called Home on March 12, 2008 at age 74. He was born to Earl Harvey Sikes and Ella May Weaver Sikes on March 19, 1933 in Pittsburg, TX. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Wanda Fay Cox Sikes; his two sons H. Allen and James Richard 'Ricky' Sikes, daughter-in-law Beth Ann Huffman Sikes, grand-daughter Megan Colleen Sikes, sister Shirley Sikes Allen and her husband, Kenneth Allen, and several nephews and nieces. A second generation electrician, Richard was trained by his father and went to work at the age of 15. In January of 1955, due to his father's death Richard entered active duty during his senior year of high school to support his mother, receiving his GED while in the Navy. His senior class still considered him part of their 1953 graduating class and continued to invite him to class reunions. He joined the US Navy, serving two years including a tour of duty on the Franklin D. Roosevelt aircraft carrier. He achieved the rank of Petty Officer Second Class as an Electrician's Mate. He continued to work as an electrician until his retirement from GM where he had worked as a maintenance electrician. Richard took great pleasure in gardening, growing amaryllises and impatiens. He had a delightful sense of humor, a great love of the East Texas Piney Woods, and took joy in his only grandchild, Megan Colleen. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Claude Edward Sikes. Visitation will take place on Monday, March 17, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 North Lamar, Austin, TX. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel, officiated by Rev. Michael Collins. Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio. The family requests, that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to your favorite charity. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com