Reginald Sykes Sr.

On Saturday, July 20, Reginald Walter Sykes, Sr., our beloved husband, father, Papoo, uncle, cousin, and friend, passed away at home in Savannah, GA, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was seventy-eight. Born to Marylee Eugene and Lee Sykes in New Orleans on August 31, 1945, he was the youngest of four children. He graduated in 1963 from Walter L. Cohen High School (New Orleans, LA) and Southern University (New Orleans, LA) in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a minor in accounting. He served his country in Vietnam as a member of the U.S. Army, H Troop 17th Armored Cavalry. Upon returning from the Vietnam War, he married his forever love, JoAnne Mension, on May 31, 1969. Five children were born to this union. He furthered his education in the graduate studies program at Webster College (Charleston, SC). He began his maritime and logistics career with Sea-Land (New Orleans, LA) in their trainee program. He later worked for Puerto Rico Marine Management (New Orleans, LA, Jacksonville, FL, and Charleston, SC) until 1993 when he began his tenure with Georgia Ports Authority in Savannah, GA. Reginald retired in 2009 from the Georgia Ports Authority as Division Manager of Administration and Planning after a 38-year career in the transportation industry. In retirement, he was honored to teach Logistics as an Adjunct Professor at Savannah Technical College. Reginald proudly earned his Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt (Finance and Logistics) and authored, “Teachable Points: A Guided Tour Frontline Supervisors”. He served on the Board of Directors for Abilities Unlimited. He was often found crunching numbers on his laptop at the dining room table and continued to provide guidance to the Georgia Ports Authority even after his retirement. Reginald confessed his faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized at an early age at New Hope Baptist Church in New Orleans, LA, where he served as the youngest Superintendent of Sunday School at 19 years old under the pastorate of Rev. Freddie H. Dunn. Since 2004, he served as a Deacon of New Vision Outreach Ministries International in Savannah, GA, where his pastor was his son-in-law Michael D. Gadsden. A man of unshakable faith in God, he was an active member of the Band of Brothers Bible study group in Savannah, GA. He lived his favorite scripture Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, in lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” As a Vietnam veteran, Reginald was a dedicated member of the U.S. Army's H Troop 17th Armored Cavalry, and he maintained strong lifelong friendships with the soldiers he served alongside. He attended annual reunions across the county, leading the planning for the three hosted in Savannah, GA. Reginald was a passionate storyteller and an avid reader of the Harvard Business Review. He loved music, especially The Impressions, Earth, Wind & Fire, Maze, and all things Motown. An excellent athlete, he was a master at the “handstand.” Reginald was a dedicated fan of the New Orleans Saints and the Savannah Clovers Football Club, which was founded by his son, Brian. As a loving and doting father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle, he took immeasurable pride in his family’s accomplishments. Reginald is preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Marylee Sykes, his sister Dolores S. Smith and twin brothers Daniel M. Sykes, Sr. (Sylvia) and Donald M. Sykes, Sr. (Renee). Reginald is survived by his adored wife of 55 years, Jo Anne Mension Sykes; his children, Kimberly E. Gadsden (Michael) of Savannah, GA, Reginald W. Sykes, Jr. (Kristi) of Concord, NC, Stephanie S. Davis (Demond) of Savannah, GA, Tracy E. Sykes of Savannah, GA, and Brian J. Sykes (Deja) of Savannah, GA; grandchildren Meridath, Michaela, Melani, Sydney, Savanna, Michael, Jr., Aidan, Demond, Mackenzie, Andrew, Reginald Yogi Paul, and Winston Maxwell Brian; great-grandchildren Madysson, Maisen, and Majorie; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many close friends, including lifelong friends Deborah and Jerald (d) Joseph and Sandra and James Scott, all of Charleston, SC. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Funeral Service at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 1807 Reverend John Raphael Way, on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 11am. Visitation will begin at 10am. Interment: Providence Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements by D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, New Orleans, LA. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook.

Reginald Sykes Sr.

July 20, 2024