Walter David Sikes Sr. died Monday 5/21/18 at Community Hospice at Mayo Clinic. He was 89. Born at home in Arlington,, he was the youngest of four boys. He graduated from Landon High School Class of 47, where he played left guard for the Lions. His high school class recently celebrated its 70th reunion where he retold many football stories which brought laughter and joy to all.

He joined the Florida Army National Guard in May of 1948 and, in August, he married his high school sweetheart Ella Justina Young. trained as a helicopter and fixed-winged pilot, he ascended the ranks from recruit to Lt. Colonel.. He also served as commanding officer of the 111th Aviation Unit at Craig Field.

He became an air traffic controller in 1959 and served in Hilliard, Jacksonville, Key West and Pensacola until his retirement in 1984.

He and his wife traveled extensively to every U.S. state and Canada by motorhome and were members of the Sun Wheelers based in Jacksonville. He also is a past president of the Sun Wheelers. The two also traveled to Europe and South America.

He loved fishing, especially off-shore, and , in his later years, he enjoyed time on the water on his pontoon boat.

Walter was a devout Christian and a 50 year member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church on University Boulevard. He later joined Resurrection Episcopal Church on Fort Caroline Road,  where he served on many committees.

He was a gentlemen and poet extraordinaire, ate banana pudding and clam strips whenever he could get them, and loved a good joke. If you asked him how he he was feeling, he always replied: "With my hands".

he closely followed the Florida State Seminoles and the Atlanta Braves and regularly streamed games over his computer.

He was preceded in death by his parents Charlie and Margaret Sikes and his brothers Clarence, Charles and Neil Sikes.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Ella Justina Young Sikes;  son David Sikes (Janine) of Gainesville; daughters Dayle Triay (Howard) and Dana Merritt (Bill Choisser) of Jacksonville; son Dan Sikes (Paulette) of Starke; six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and scores of nieces,nephews and cousins.

Visitation Thursday May 24, 2018 7-9 PM at Arlington Park Funeral Home 6920 Lone Star Rd. Jacksonville, FL

Funeral Service Friday May 25, 2018  at 1 PM Resurrection Episcopal Church Fort Caroline Rd. Jacksonville, FL

Burial to follow in Arlington Park Cemetery.