Sidney R Okes Jr.

Sidney R. Okes, Sr. and Irene Briggs raised their sons, Sid, Jr and his brother Day, in St. Paul Minnesota. The family also enjoyed spending part of their winters in Florida, and part of their summers at “the farm” in Wisconsin.

Sid went to high school at St. Thomas Military Academy in St. Paul. He graduated from the Civil Engineering Program at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. At Cornell, Sid participated in ROTC and then joined the Army as a Second Lieutenant where he was posted to Japan for two years as a Post Ordnance Office. After serving in the Army, Sid returned to the Twin Cities working for Winston Brothers as a Civil Engineer managing large construction projects. His first assignment was near Windsor, Ontario. It was there in the spring of 1958 that Sid met his wife, Mary Verbik. Within a year, Sid was transferred to other projects and locales, where Sid and Mary continued a long-distance romance. While working in Fresno, California, he invited Mary for the 1961 Rose Bowl game. He proposed to her that weekend on New Year’s Eve. They were married on April 15, 1961.

While at Winston Brothers, Sid managed several large construction projects across the country– most notably the Cherokee Power Plant in Denver, and the Mobile Bay Tunnel in Alabama. He was Vice President and member of the Board of Directors. The nature of Sid’s work resulted in several moves. Sid and Mary lived in Morgan City, Louisiana; Franklin, Louisiana; Carlsbad, New Mexico; Monroe, Louisiana; Denver, Colorado; Mobile, Alabama; and finally back to Denver in 1973.

After about 20 years, it was time for a change and Sid joined Kellogg Corporation, where he was Vice President and did civil engineering consulting work for construction dispute resolution. Sid earned his Master’s Degree in Business Administration in 1980 from the University of Denver. With this business knowledge and engineering expertise, Sid started his own companies. First, Madsen, Okes, and Associates, and later Okes and Associates, where he continued as a consultant to firms involved in the construction industry and offering expert testimony in legal disputes. Throughout his career, he was active in several professional associations and was an ardent supporter of the University of Denver in his retirement.

Sid and Mary’s deep affection for Colorado—and the lasting friendships they built—ultimately brought them back to the Denver area, where they lived in the same Greenwood Village home for nearly 50 years. During that time, they also had a mountain home in Keystone, which they enjoyed throughout the year, especially during ski season. Their time in Keystone played a meaningful role in fostering a love for the Colorado mountains in their children and grandchildren.

Although Sid was deeply passionate about his work, he also valued and embraced an active social life. He and Mary were members of the Fairhope Yacht Club in Mobile, Alabama, where Sid pursued his love of sailing, including winning the Dauphin Island Race. After moving to Denver, they became founding members of the Village Club, enjoying a vibrant social circle. They often hosted and attended Bridge Club gatherings and International Gourmet Dinner parties with friends. The couple later joined Cherry Hills Country Club, where they delighted in golfing,dining with friends and family, and sharing years of special holiday celebrations with their children and grandchildren. Many New Year’s Eve celebrations were joyfully spent there with the Taggarts.

In their later years, Sid and Mary spent winters in their Palm Desert home. They especially treasured the time they spent with their grandchildren, cherishing spring break visits filled with laughter and lasting memories. Blessed with the opportunity to travel extensively, they explored many parts of the world—taking multiple trips to Asia, both Western and Eastern Europe, and Australia. Cruising was a favorite way for them to experience new places together. A devoted member of Christ Episcopal Church for over 50 years, Sid attended services faithfully. He also enjoyed his weekly tradition of golfing and sharing lunch with friends on Wednesdays at Cherry Hills Country Club.

Sid and Mary have two children, David and Jennifer. David is married to his high school sweetheart, Michelle Miller and they have three children (Corey, Britta, and Jordan) and five grandchildren (Amelia and Wyatt Okes, Wilder and Solvei Carlisle, and Raine Paul Okes). Jennifer is married to David Arcenia and they have one child, Vale. Sid was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Sid lovingly took care of Mary at home after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2004 until her death in 2010.

Sid became active with the Alzheimer’s Association volunteering on the call center, leading men’s support groups, lobbying Congress, and serving on the Board of Directors of the Colorado Chapter. His passion for the Alzheimer’s Association initiated his philanthropic endeavors, and led to his creation of the Okes Family Foundation to continue his heart for giving to organizations the family supports into the next generation and beyond.

Sid passed away peacefully of natural causes on May 13, 2025, surrounded by love from his children.

Sid was the loving father of David (Michelle) and Jennifer (David Arcenia); grandfather of Corey (Katie), Britta (Taylor Carlisle), and Jordan (Courtney) Okes, and Nicole “Vale” Arcenia; great grandfather of Amelia and Wyatt Okes, Wilder and Solvei Carlisle, and Raine Paul Okes; brother-in-law to Lillian Verbik Taggart (Bill) and Finni Verbik; uncle to Jeannette, Jamie and Mike Verbik, Dana Skibsted, and David Day Okes. Sid was preceded in death by his beloved wife of nearly 50 years, Mary Verbik Okes; his parents Sidney Robert Okes, Sr. and Irene Briggs Okes; his brother Day Okes II; his brothers-in-law Frank and Tony Verbik.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Sid will be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 10:30 AM at Christ Episcopal Church, with a light reception to follow (2950 South University Blvd). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Christ Episcopal Church.