Bobby Jack Sikes, a long-time resident of Symsonia, Kentucky passed away Thursday, December 21, 2023 at the age of 85 years.
Bobby was born August 14, 1938 in Mayfield, Kentucky to the late James Sikes and Allivee Ray Sikes. Bobby was a member of the Central church of Christ in Paducah, Kentucky, where he has worshipped and served the Lord Jesus Christ faithfully for several years.
Bobby attended Mayfield High School and graduated from Madison High School in Madison Heights, Michigan, after which he trained as a mechanical engineer.
Bobby was a proud Veteran of the U.S. Navy having served his country between 1956 and 1960 on board the USS Peterson (DE-152), an Edsall class destroyer escort based in Key West, Florida. Bob as part of the Peterson crew, participated in “Operation Deep Freeze” passing through the Panama Canal, crossing the Equator and arriving in New Zealand as part of Task Force 43 acting as a weather communications and rescue ship. He enjoyed talking about his naval experiences and kept in touch regularly with his shipmates.
After his naval service, Bob came home to marry the love of his life, Catherine Ann Birchmeier, and started his family residing in Oak Park, Michigan. In around 1978, Bob, Cathy and the boys moved to Clarksville, Tennessee, where Bob worked for an engineering firm designing industrial tooling and machinery. They later moved to Symsonia, Kentucky, where his parents ran the “Big Valley Barbeque” restaurant and Bob continued his career as an employee of LeCorp and finally Florence and Hutcheson. He designed conveyer systems, material handling equipment for loading and off-loading coal and aggregate and was an onsite consultant for Florence and Hutchenson at some of the Calvert City Industrial plants in Calvert City, Kentucky, including C.C. Metals and Alloys, Air Products, and Williams Construction until his retirement.
Bobby loved his family especially including his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and also, his extended family. He often hosted big family reunions in his back yard with food, music, games, and entertainment that was enjoyed by all. He also worked extensively with others to produce a more complete history of the Sikes/Sykes family tree.
Bobby Sikes loved the Lord and His church. He and Cathy enjoyed daily devotionals around the kitchen table, Bible reading and study, gospel preaching, and worshipping God. He was a devoted Christian, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.
He is survived by his wife of almost 63 years, Catherine Ann (Birchmeier) Sikes also of Symsonia; three sons, Jimmy Sikes and Michael Sikes of Paducah, Kentucky, and Jeffery Sikes of Warren, Michigan; two brothers, James K. Sikes of Gilbertsville, Kentucky, and Danny (Bonnie) Sikes of Benton, Kentucky; thirteen grandchildren and several great grandchildren and cousins.
Bobby was preceded in death by one son, Steven (Steve) Sikes; one sister, Carol Jean (Sikes) Kiefer; and his parents, James Sikes and Allivee Ray Sikes.
Expressions of sympathy can be made in the form of donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Pl, Memphis, TN 38105.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at Filbeck-Cann Funeral Home of Milner & Orr.
Funeral Service will be at 1:00 PM on Thursday, December 28, 2023 with Bro. Jim Faughn officiating. Burial to follow at Sharpe Church of Christ Cemetery.
To share a memory or send a message to the family please visit www.filbeckandcann.com.
Isa 46:4 And even to your old age I am he; and even to gray hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.
