Alfred Millard Sykes, Jr. was born in Oak Grove, Louisiana on November 3, 1947, and passed away on Tuesday, March 4, 2026 at the Overton Brooks Veterans Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana, after a battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held at the Veterans Cemetery in Keithville, Louisiana on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 10:30 A.M.
Millard was preceded in death by his father, Alfred Millard Sykes, Sr. of Shreveport; his mother, Eloise Newton Sykes of Shreveport; and his niece, Rhonda Carol Griffin of Shreveport. He is survived by his son, Allen Millard Sykes and wife, Cami of St. Johns, Florida; granddaughter, Mallorie Sykes of Princeton, Texas; sister, Marilyn Sykes Griffin of Shreveport; brother, Dave Newton Sykes and wife Clovia, their son, Christopher David Sykes and their daughter, Chrissy and Ron Maksymowicz, all of The Colony, Texas; and cousin, Ethel D. Puckett of Shreveport.
Millard was a gifted woodworker, carpenter, and cabinet marker. He specialized in growing all kinds of hot peppers in his large backyard garden. He proudly and honorably served four years in the U.S. Navy on the USS Wasp.
The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to family and friends who supported them during this time. A special thanks to the numerous doctors and nurses who cared for him, but especially Dr. Kevin Gallagher at the Willis-Knighton Cancer Center; Dr. Roxana Balua (Radiology-Oncology) and Elizabeth I. Jabaley (Hospice/Palliative Care) at the VA Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to the American Cancer Society for lung cancer research: American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 (1-800-227-2345)
