Edgar Sikes
– November 11, 2012
</span><br />Edgar Sikes, 91, of Gibsonton, passed away on Veterans Day, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012. He served his country proudly during WWII as a P51 Mustang mechanic in the 8th Army/Air Force Division in Essex, England. He fell in love with and married his precious ‘English Rose,’ Gladys Butcher Sikes. While stationed in Saffron Walden, he and Gladys had two children born in England: their oldest son Keith and only daughter Gloria.</p>
<p>He brought his new family back home to Ruskin, where he had lived his young life until going into the service. He continued his education as a diesel mechanic in Nashville, TN. After completing a year of school, they returned with the third addition to their family: a second son, Bobby. Edgar and Gladys settled in Gibsonton, where they raised their children. Edgar loved his family and he loved to fish. He was a master of making, repairing and throwing a cast net. When he threw that cast net, you knew there would be a bounty of mullet coming home with him. He loved sharing that bounty with friends and family. He and Gladys also owned and operated a tropical fish farm in Riverview. They were happily married for 59 years. He unfortunately lost his loving wife Gladys in 2003. He was also preceded in death by his father, General Sikes, his mother, Beatrice Sikes, and a sister, Myrtle Sikes Clark.</p>
<p>Edgar is survived by two sons: Keith (Carol) Sikes, Bobby (Gayle) Sikes, and daughter Gloria (Benny) Stanaland; four grandchildren, Dean (Kim) Martin, Mickey (Tracy) Martin, Bryan (Krista) Sikes, and Cindi (Danny) Beaver; eight great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Mason (Florence) Sikes, and Alfred Sikes; two sisters, Gillie (LaVaughn) Baker, and Maxine Dozier. Edgar is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and other loving family members and friends.</p>
<p>His earthly body was cremated, but his soul will live on in all who loved him. The memorial service is at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 24 at Fellowship Cemetary Church. Please bring a covered dish and celebrate the life of Edgar Sikes.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><em><span style="font-family: times new roman,times;">
<p>He brought his new family back home to Ruskin, where he had lived his young life until going into the service. He continued his education as a diesel mechanic in Nashville, TN. After completing a year of school, they returned with the third addition to their family: a second son, Bobby. Edgar and Gladys settled in Gibsonton, where they raised their children. Edgar loved his family and he loved to fish. He was a master of making, repairing and throwing a cast net. When he threw that cast net, you knew there would be a bounty of mullet coming home with him. He loved sharing that bounty with friends and family. He and Gladys also owned and operated a tropical fish farm in Riverview. They were happily married for 59 years. He unfortunately lost his loving wife Gladys in 2003. He was also preceded in death by his father, General Sikes, his mother, Beatrice Sikes, and a sister, Myrtle Sikes Clark.</p>
<p>Edgar is survived by two sons: Keith (Carol) Sikes, Bobby (Gayle) Sikes, and daughter Gloria (Benny) Stanaland; four grandchildren, Dean (Kim) Martin, Mickey (Tracy) Martin, Bryan (Krista) Sikes, and Cindi (Danny) Beaver; eight great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Mason (Florence) Sikes, and Alfred Sikes; two sisters, Gillie (LaVaughn) Baker, and Maxine Dozier. Edgar is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and other loving family members and friends.</p>
<p>His earthly body was cremated, but his soul will live on in all who loved him. The memorial service is at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 24 at Fellowship Cemetary Church. Please bring a covered dish and celebrate the life of Edgar Sikes.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><em><span style="font-family: times new roman,times;">