Extracted from The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)
Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Herman L. Sykes

Herman L. Sykes, of Alexandria, died Tuesday, June 7, 2011, following a long and productive life. He turned 82 on May 23.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 9, 2011, at John Kramer & Son Funeral Home, Masonic Drive, Alexandria, beginning at 4 p.m. The holy rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Friday, June 10, with the Rev. Dan O'Connor, celebrant. Interment will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday at Resthaven Gardens of Memory, Baton Rouge.

Herman was born to a farming family in the red dirt hills of central Mississippi near Carthage. He attended public schools, eventually attending East Central Junior College and Mississippi College. Leaving Mississippi, he and his young family moved to the New Orleans area, where he began a career with the Shell Oil Co. Herman retired from Shell Oil in 1988, having advanced to the position of production superintendent, with oil and gas production responsibility for a considerable portion of the Gulf of Mexico.

A loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Herman considered his family the center of his universe. Nothing gave him more pleasure than having his children and grandchildren gather for holidays, special family events, and frequent family vacations. He especially enjoyed traveling to the Great Smoky Mountains, where he could rest his feet in the cold running streams after playing many rounds of golf.

Herman was preceded in death by his loving wife of 49 years, Billie Lou Evans Sykes; parents, Roy E. Sykes and Zoe T. Crawford Sykes; brother, Howard Sykes; and sister, Bobbie Nell Sykes Wilson, who were all of central Mississippi.

Remaining to cherish his memory is Jessie Verzwyvelt-Hickman Sykes, his devoted wife and travel companion for the past nine years. He is also survived by his two children, Ronald L. Sykes and wife Patricia, of Dallas, and Diane Sykes Peters and husband Ray, of Alexandria. He leaves four grandchildren, Stacey Rose and husband Tim, Jonathan Sykes and wife Debbie, Ryan Peters and wife Susan, and Katherine Peters. His three great-grandchildren are Elizabeth Rose, Matthew Rose and Ashleigh Sykes.

Herman was very appreciative of his reception into the Hickman family, which includes Jessie's children and grandchildren. Children include Judy Armstrong and husband Tim, of Baton Rouge, John C. Hickman and wife Melinda, of Houston, James B. Hickman and wife Dana, of Shreveport, and Mary Catherine Hickman, of Alexandria. Grandchildren are Christopher Hickman, Katelyn Armstrong, Thomas Armstrong, Kristen Armstrong, Ashley Armstrong, Stephanie Jennings and husband Jarred, Jennifer Collins and husband Bryan, and Jamie Hickman.

With the warmth of his Southern charm and personality, he was embraced by everyone he met and developed many friends. He pleasured in playing golf and bridge, and in celebrating the Carnival season. Herman was a past member of the Rapides Golf and Country Club and a member of the Alexandria Golf and Country Club. He also was a member of the Mystique Krewe of Rapides. Most importantly, he was a member of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church.

Pallbearers will be Jonathan Sykes, Ryan Peters, Tim Rose, Charlie Hickman, Jimmie Hickman and Chris Hickman.

Honorary pallbearers are Ronald Sykes, Tim Armstrong, Thomas Armstrong, Sammy Russell, Ed Michael, Joseph Daniels, Paul Vanderlick, Buz Kelley and Wayne Martin.

In lieu of followers, memorials may be made to Our Lady of Prompt Succor Capital Campaign, Alexandria, and St. Thomas More Excellence Campaign, Baton Rouge.