WILMINGTON — Garland P Sykes, age 79, passed to his heavenly home July 22, 2024.
Born in Parrott Hospital Kinston NC and preceded in death by his parents Mercer P Sykes, Maggie Baker Sykes and older brother Bobby Sykes.
Garland is survived by his soulmate and wife Linda Kalnen Sykes, sons Shane Sykes, Kevin Huffman (Shannon), daughter Krystal Jefferson and five grandchildren, Emily, Carson, Lily, Caden, Kylee, Aunt Shelby Skipper and many dear family and friends.
Baptized in 1954 at Long Leaf Baptist Church began a strong Christian faith throughout his life. It was evident by joyfully singing with the Windermere Presbyterian Church choir where he faithfully loved his church family and the strong support received from them.
Garland graduated 1965 from New Hanover High School (NHHS) where he met his loving wife Linda. Together they founded the New Hanover High School Alumni Organization in 2019 that created four (4) scholarships and support school efforts. Mr. Sykes served as Alumni President during the NHHS Centennial Year Celebration. He enthusiastically volunteered for several boards the past fifty years including Executive Director for United Way.
The interest in science began at age 9 with a chemistry set for Christmas. Following that passion into higher education began at UNCW followed by graduating from NC State then on to a Master’s Degree in biochemical engineering from NC Carolina. The biochemical career began at Wright Chemical and moved to his dream career at Pfizer Pharmaceutical until retirement from upper management in 2007.
His entrepreneur side held side businesses from a Horse Ranch, Race Car Tracks to a Gun Shop and Garland’s Hobby Shop. A great pride could be seen when he shared photos of his Toy Shop with thousands of dye cast cars, memorabilia from NASCAR, soda shops items of the 50’s and 60’s and a multitude of valued collectables.
There were many avid interests that included horses beginning with a performance as a child in Madison Square Gardens. He earned a pilot’s license in his teens with his last flight from Burgaw to Smithfield only a few years ago. The passionate hobbies included RC Boats with several national wins, scoring 299 in a Bowling Tournament and rebuilding classic vehicles from the chassis up, among many others. He played golf and enjoyed a lifelong love of tennis. There was no mistaking his enthusiastic love for building and flying large scale RC planes especially his beloved cub with the family he found at Wilmington RC Flying and Southeastern Modelers RC Flying Club where he served as Vice President.
New acquaintances would often comment on his varied interest, and exceptional acquired knowledge. He never met a stranger and could always find a shared interest. Those that knew him called him an inspiration by the way he handled adversity and a commitment to living his best life every day.
The compassion for animals showed in his love for his pets past and present like his Paint horse, dogs Trapper, Freckles and most recently Pepper.
Please sign the online guestbook here.
