Henry Kenneth (Nig) Dykes Sr.

Henry Kenneth (Nig) Dykes, Sr., 89, of Zavalla, was born September 27, 1922 in Angelina County, Texas, the son of the late Mittie Mae (Blake) and Jess E. Dykes. He passed away Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at his residence.

Mr. Dykes was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He loved his grandchildren and spending time with them. He enjoyed hunting, driving fast cars, and playing "42".He was retired from Brown & Root where he worked as an iron worker. He served his country with the United States Army, and was a POW for 24 months in Germany. He served so that his children would not have to. Mr. Dykes was of the Baptist Faith.

Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Kenneth Jr. and Mayreen Dykes and Darrell and Jamie Dykes, all of Zavalla; daughters and sons-in-law, Jackie and Charles Foley of Gulfport, Mississippi, Trisha and Will Donahoe, Suzanne and Henry Williams, and Deborah and Manuel Mayorga, all of Zavalla; grandchildren, Will, Kenneth, Eva, Bokey, Richard, James, David, Khandi, Cody, Sabrina, Isiah, Amber, Halley, Jana, Shawn, Tanya, Jessica, Nicholas, Tapanga, and Samantha; great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Triston, Jared, Kaylei, Garret, Trevor, Gavin, D J, Mahaley, Gage, Carter and Kaden; sisters, Jessie Mae (Chic) Dykes and Juandale Nelson; nephew and dear friend, Billy Wayne Dykes; friends and caregivers, Missy Rhodes, Deborah Calhoun, Betty Agers and Amanda Carrell; and a number of other family members and friends.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Dykes was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lois; sisters, Vera Kitchens, Jimmy Collins and Faye Petray; and brother, Vernon (Brody), Jackie Bob, and Josh Dykes.

Mr. Dykes' grandsons will serve as pallbearers: Will Donahoe, Kenneth Donahoe, James Dykes, David Dykes, Cody Dykes, Richard Babb, Jr., and Isiah Mayorga.

Services for Mr. Dykes will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 10, 2012 in the Gipson Funeral Home Chapel, with Cary Modisett and Larry Innerarity officiating. Interment will follow in the Kitchens Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at Gipson Funeral Home.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home