John H. J. Sykes, M.D.

John Herndon James Sykes M.D., age 90, of San Antonio, died Friday, September 23, 2016 in San Antonio, Texas. He was born January 11, 1926, in San Antonio Texas, the son of Dr. E. Meredith Sykes and Mary Greenhow Sykes. After completing high school in 1944 at Texas Military Institute, he graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a B.S. from the University of Texas (Austin) and the M.D. degree from Baylor College of Medicine in 1954 as a member of Phi Chi Medical Fraternity and Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He completed his residency in Ophthalmology and established a private practice in San Antonio. He served in World War II in the 16th Cavalry Division.

Dr. Sykes was a member of the Bexar County Medical Society and served as President of the Texas Society of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology in 1989. He also was a senior member of Kiwanis.

He was preceded death by his sister Maria Margaret Sykes, his brother Edwin Meredith Sykes Jr. and nephew Edwin M. Sykes III. He is survived by his spouse Gussie Eugene Brieger having been together for 56 years. Other survivors include nieces and nephews: Anne Bayard Sykes Reese and husband Morris Marcus Reese Jr, Mellick Tweedy Sykes, Sr.,M.D. and wife Barbara Taylor Sykes; and Andrew (Drew) Greenhow Sykes.

Dr. Sykes was a lifelong member of the Episcopal faith and attended St. Paul's Episcopal Church, San Antonio where he was a member of the choir. Dr. Sykes as an avid collector of antiques including furniture, steins, bronzes, and Oz books. He also both collected and repaired clocks and was a long-time member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.

We wish to thank Vitas Hospice San Antonio for the wonderful help and care they gave to Dr. Sykes.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 30th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Porter Loring on McCullough.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 1st at 10:00 AM at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1018 E. Grayson, San Antonio 78208, Rev. Bradford Landry officiating with interment to follow in Mission Park Burial Park South.

Memorial Donations may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, the San Antonio Humane Society, the San Antonio Zoo; or a charity of your choice.