T. J. Sikes, 77, of Greenville went home peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on May 4, 2011 at home. Services will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Roger Ratliff officiating. Interment will follow at Memoryland Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Friday at the funeral home.
Born April 11, 1934 in Sulphur Springs, Thomas James was the son of Eugene and Elizabeth (Williamson) Sikes. On December 8, 1984, he married Ester Durendes Pasaporte in Greenville. Thomas graduated from Caddo Mills High School and served in the United States Army with a tour in Europe. He was employed with Temco/LTV/E-Systems/Raytheon for 38 years retiring as a Sr. Test Engineer with the test department. T. J. contributed to the success of the Air Force Big Safari Program and worked on countless aircraft, including Air Force One. He has been a member of the Masonic Caddo Lodge #581 since 1956 and is a member of the Vansickle Baptist Church. T.J. loved to hunt, fish, and watch the Texas Rangers.
Survivors include his wife and son and daughter-in-law Matt and Amy Sikes all of Greenville; son and two daughters Michael Sikes of Port Aransas, Janet Briggs of San Antonio, and Vicki Kiraly of Rhome; grandchildren Britt and Eric Lindley, Scott, Adam, and Brittany Sikes and Joseph Kiraly; 6 great-grandchildren; nieces Donna, Cindy, and Lisa; and nephew Joe.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Joe Don Sikes and sister Patsy Eddins.
Pallbearers will be Matt Sikes, G. O. Jones, Eric Lindley, Mike Sikes, Sam Briggs, and David Reed. Honorary pallbearers will be Britt Lindley, Joe Sikes, Ken Newby, Charlie Brooks, and Derek Reed.
