Gary Lee Sykes, 71, of Gardner, Kansas passed away Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Olathe Hospice House in Olathe, Kansas after his battle with Lymphoma. The family will greet friends and family at 1 pm on June 12th at Bruce Funeral Home in Gardner, KS. Military honors will follow the visitation. Memorial contributions may be made to American Legion Post 19, Gardner, Kansas.
Gary was born in Topeka, Kansas on February 5th, 1950 to Homer and Velma (Higbee) Sykes. He graduated from Topeka High School in 1968. He went to Washburn University for a year until he joined the US Army in 1969 until 1975 and served in the Vietnam War. He worked for the Federal Government attached to the Kansas Army National Guard 714th unit for 26 years. Then, he worked for Sprint in Overland Park until he retired. Gary married Lori A. Sommer on June 2nd, 1984 in Topeka, Kansas. He was an avid HAM radio operator under his call sign: KC0VYP. He loved trains, the bigger the better. And, boy, did he love his dog, Apollo, who is now in loving care with family. Gary was a true child at heart and was always found with a huge smile on his face.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his daughter, Lizz Sykes (Jared Humpherys) of Gardner, KS and step-daughter, Quinn Sykes of Kansas City, MO; his granddaughter, Amelia Gibbs of Gardner, KS; his ex-wife and friend, Lori Sykes of Gardner, KS; two brothers, Morris Sykes of Topeka, KS and Homer Sykes Jr. (Carol Sykes) of Topeka, KS; two sisters, Carol Henning of Springfield, VA and Delores Sykes of Topeka, KS; as well as 7 nieces, Kim Aeillo, Treva Sykes, Pamela Lassen, Sherry Sykes, Lisa Hamon, Stacy Sykes, and Melissa Henning and 3 nephews, Lee Sykes, Bill Henning, and David McConnell.