Thomas William Sykes, 80, of Pensacola, FL, passed away on Wednesday, February 15, 2023.
He was born in Dubois, PA on April 19, 1942 to Thomas “Tim” William and Nelle Heitzenrater Sykes.
After graduating from Dubois High School in 1960, he joined the United States Navy and was stationed at Naval Communications Training Center Corry Field, Pensacola, FL. He met Jacqueline Pryor at her family’s drive-in restaurant, Joe’s Big Boy, where he would cook his own burgers. They were married on June 11, 1966, and celebrated 56 years of marriage.
Tom was committed to serving his community through his local fire departments for over 30 years. He was a volunteer Firefighter as a teen in his hometown of Dubois. He spent three decades serving the Warrington Volunteer Fire Department (Pensacola, FL) filling the ranks from Firefighter to Assistant Chief. After his Navy enlistment, he chose a career as a Civil Service Firefighter at Pensacola Naval Air Station, eventually retiring as a Fire Captain after 29 years. He then began working as a courier for the law firm of Shell, Fleming, Davis & Menge for nearly 20 years and retired in 2019.
Tom was devoted to God and his church. He was Presbyterian since childhood with his mother being a deaconess of the First United Presbyterian Church in Dubois. He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Pensacola for over 55 years. He served as the Clerk of Session and in numerous positions as a church Elder.
Tom was a devoted and supportive husband to Jackie. He volunteered with Jackie for several years at the Girl Scout Council cookie warehouse. Together they filled and organized orders for thousands of cases of cookies. He also became a First Aid instructor for the Girl Scout Council. He supported Jackie when she wanted to start a Terrill family reunion in Kentucky which they attended yearly since 2011.
Tom was a loving, doting, and uplifting father to his two daughters, Stephanie Sykes Browne and Jolie Sykes Darby. Tom was always present to support his girls through the Pensacola High School marching band color guard, Girl Scouts, cheerleading, softball, and church activities. He was a father figure for several of his daughters' friends who still call him “Pop.” Tom led by example. Tom was active in the lives of his 6 grandchildren and great-granddaughter.
Tom was a fun-loving character who liked people. He enjoyed the outdoors -gardening, golfing, and swimming. In his leisure time, he would sit in the front yard enjoying crossword puzzles, scratch-offs, and talking to all the neighbors. While working as a courier, he relished visiting people on his daily routes in Pensacola and Milton.
He was young at heart. At 74, he rode a go-cart at one of his grandchildren’s birthday parties. He loved “game nights,” strategy games, and Bingo. He played a mean game of Pinochle, cribbage, and chess. “Poppa” will always be remembered by his grandchildren for being kind, giving, and if partnered with him during game night, being on the losing team.
He enjoyed watching his Pennsylvania teams: Nittany Lions, the Pirates, and the Steelers.
Tom is survived by his wife, Jackie: sister, Jeanne (Leo) Pernesky, North Versailles, PA; daughter, Jolie (Joseph) Darby, Foley, AL; grandchildren, Calais (Matthew) Laganosky, Melbourne, FL; Spencer, Blakley, and Garrett Browne, Pensacola, FL, and Jackson and Jacob “J.D” Darby, Foley, AL; great grand-daughter, Alice Embry Laganosky, Melbourne, FL; niece, Becky Jo Pernesky Streff, North Versailles, PA; and nephew, Thomas “Leo” Pernesky Jr., Dubois, PA.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents and daughter Stephanie Sykes Browne.
The Celebration of Life Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Pensacola, 33 East Gregory St. 32502 on March 11, 2023, at 1:00 pm with a reception following.
Please make a contribution in Tom’s honor to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation PFF (givesmart.com) or a service organization of your choice.
https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/PFFTribute/ThomasSykes
Thomas Sykes served God, his country, his church, his community and his family.
“Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant” Matthew 25:23