Ewing Edben Sikes, Jr. known to his family and friends as Ed, Eddie, or Buddy entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at Valley Regional Medical Center surrounded by his family. Ed was born to Ewing Edben Sikes Sr. and Barbara Whitehead Sikes on August 27, 1939 in Dallas, Texas.
Ed graduated from Dublin High School in 1957 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in 1962 from North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas). During his time at university, Ed was a proud member of the North Texas drumline as part of the Mean Green Brigade as well as the Air Force ROTC Band (drumline). He had the honor of marching with the ROTC band during Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans.
Following graduation, Ed moved to Brownsville, Texas, where he began his career in education. He first taught at Stell Intermediate before transitioning to Skinner Elementary. Throughout his career, Ed was a certified teacher in Science, Social Studies, and Special Education. Committed to furthering his education, Ed earned college credits at the Universidad de las Americas in Mexico City, which he applied toward a Master of Arts degree in school counseling from Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas. He spent many years as a school counselor at Faulk Intermediate and Perkins Intermediate, where he retired from in 1998 after 37 years of dedicated service to the education community. Ed’s career was a true reflection of his passion for helping others. As a teacher and counselor, he made a lasting impact on countless students, always going the extra mile to support their academic, emotional, and personal growth. Ed was known for his kind, empathetic, and generous nature.
Ed led a rich and rewarding life, finding joy not only in his career but also in many personal interests. He enjoyed sailing, reading, cooking, taking road trips with friends and family, enjoying cigars and fine liquor, and listening to jazz music. These simple pleasures brought him great joy and peace. Ed was a man of deep faith and a devoted family man, finding his greatest joy in his roles as a husband, father, brother, and grandfather. He treasured the time he spent with loved ones. He enjoyed picking up his grandkids from school and treating them out to lunch every day. His dry sense of humor, warm smile, and kind spirit will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
A passionate fan of college football, Ed was a loyal supporter of the University of North Texas. He and his beloved wife, Mary Lou Sikes, made countless road trips to Denton, Texas, during football season, with Homecoming weekend being one of his favorite times of the year. Ed proudly marched alongside the drumline in the Homecoming parade in Denton’s downtown square, a testament to his love of marching bands and the drumline. His children, Laura and Eddie, and his grandchildren fondly joined him at games.
Ed was a true gentleman—patriotic, principled, and kind-hearted. A steadfast supporter of the Second Amendment, he deeply valued the freedoms and responsibilities of citizenship. His patriotism was matched by a generous spirit; he donated to several charities and was always ready to lend a hand to anyone in need. Ed carried himself with dignity and upheld traditional values of respect and etiquette. He was the kind of man who never forgot to say thank you, often taking the time to write thoughtful notes to express his appreciation. His quiet acts of kindness and deep sense of courtesy left a lasting impression on all who knew him. Ed’s legacy of integrity, generosity, and grace will live on in the hearts of those he touched.
Ed is preceded in death by his parents, Ewing Edben Sikes Sr. and Barbara Whitehead Sikes and his loving wife of 57 years, Mary Lou Sikes. He is survived by his son Eddie Sikes (Erika), his daughter, Laura Sikes and three grandchildren: Alexandria, Benjamin and Katherine Sikes. He is also survived by his only sister and her family: Sue Vasquez (Jose), Molly Shipley (John), and Lance Street (Megan), two brothers- in-law: Lionel Cavazos, Humberto Cavazos (Christina), one sister-in-law, Mary Ann Cavazos Carrillo (ConradV), nieces, nephews, great nieces, their “compadres”, Nelson and Carla Permenter (Jackie – Goddaughter), and a loving extended family.
On Thursday, April 10, 2025 recitation of the Holy Rosary will take place at 9:30 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church followed by a funeral mass that will be celebrated at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Works of Mercy (food pantry) at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Brownsville, Texas.
Services are under the guidance of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, Crematory & Flower Shop. 657 Springmart Blvd., Brownsville, Texas. (956) 350-8485
2 Comments
Mr. Sikes was my Social Studies teacher at Stell Jr.High back in the day. Later, as an adult he was my co-worker at Perkins Middle School where we.both worked as counselors.. He always offered his help and expertise. Mr. Sikes was a kind man and a gentleman with a friendly smile. I had great respect for him. He was also a man of great faith. I remember him always having a bible on his desk in his office and attending mass daily during his lunch hour. May his children, grandchildren, and other family members find peace and comfort with memories of him. Rest in peace Mr. Sikes. You were a great teacher and counselor.
Our condolences and prayers to the Sikes family. May you find peace and comfort with cherished memories.
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