Gene Carlton Sykes

COLUMBIA - A funeral service for Gene Carlton Sykes, 84, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, with burial in Greenlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at the funeral home.

Mr. Sykes passed away on Thursday, September 11, 2025. Born in Eutawville, SC, he was a son of the late James Cleveland Sykes and Elizabeth Lee Smoak Sykes. A graduate of Midlands Technical College with a degree in Computer Science, he worked as a programmer and systems analyst for South Carolina Employment Security Commission. He attended First Baptist Church. Gene loved fishing and “flounder gigging” along the waters of Beaufort, SC. Most of all, he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

Surviving are his daughter, Caroline “Carol” Sykes McElveen (James Michael “Mike” McElveen) of West Columbia, SC; son, James Edward “Eddie” Sykes (Maristela “Mari” Araujo Sykes) of Columbia, SC; grandchildren, Dr. Michaela Ashley McElveen Edelson (Alec) of Cayce, SC, Edward Moises Araujo “Momo” Sykes, Meghan Mara Araujo “Meme” Sykes; brother, James Richard Sykes (Sheri) of Beaufort, SC; and nieces, Elizabeth McClellan Jenkinson (Victor Paul) and Emily Anna Donovan (David Scott).

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Nancy Blatt Sykes and his nephews, James Richard Sykes, Jr. and Grayson Grady.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com