Nila Jean Sykes

Nila Jean Sykes, 86, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by family on December 10, 2024. Nila was born on April 14, 1938 in Ft. Lupton, Colorado to Carroll and Roicy Flanders. Her family eventually settled in Portland, Oregon where Nila attended Sabin Elementary and then Grant High School. Not long after graduating, Nila met and married Dewey Sykes, an airman stationed at the Portland Air Base. While in Portland, Nila and Dewey had three children before the Air Force moved their family to six different bases across the US and Europe over a span of 10 years.

After Dewey’s retirement from the military in 1975, the family settled in Fairview, Oregon. Nila worked for several of the next 25 years and officially retired in 1999.

Nila enjoyed traveling with Dewey in their camper, cooking authentic food from her travels, a good game of cards, and fishing trips with family and friends.

Nila is preceded in death by her parents and brother, and husband Dewey. Nila is survived by her children, Ardette, Arlen (Mary), and Aaron (Leslie), 10 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.