James Sykes

James Sykes, 81, of McRae, Arkansas, was born August 19, 1935 at Heber Springs, Arkansas to Casper and Lillie (Allen) Sykes, and he passed away Monday, December 19, 2016. He was a proud United States Army veteran and retired from AT&T Teletype at age 51. He was a dedicated, hard worker and a fantastic dad, granddad and husband. James enjoyed gardening and yard work. He loved playing games of all kinds.

He is survived by his wife of 55 ½ years, Barbara Gene (Lee) Sykes; daughter Kathy (Ron) Harvey; two granddaughters, Ashley and Savanna Harvey; two step-grandchildren, Benny and Maygun Harvey; sister Martha Golden; brother Allen Sykes; very special nieces and nephews; and his special four-legged friend "Hershey".

James was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters Ralph Sykes, Helen Gilmer, Fay Love, Florence Jones, Casper Sykes, John Sykes, Ellen Garrett and Joseph Sykes.

Memorials may be made to NRA Foundation, P.O. Box 1546, Merrifield, VA 22116-9851.

Family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe. Funeral will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 23, 2016 at Smith-Westbrook Chapel, with burial in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home.