Tom Sykes

Tom Sykes, 80

Thomas Allan Sykes, Jr, 80, passed away on Monday, December 8, 2025 in Dover, Idaho.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at the Marigold Bistro (Columbia Bank Building).

Tom was born on February 24, 1945 in Long Beach, California to Thomas and Mary Louise Sykes. He graduated from Poly High School in Long Beach.

Tom served his country in the United States Army and was stationed in South Korea. He then completed his degree in Industrial Design at Long Beach State University.

Tom married Dodi Gilchrist in Aspen, CO on August 18, 1979. He spent his career as a general contractor; building custom homes for many Sandpoint residents and a few notable people; singer John Denver and local artist Steven Lyman.

Tom and Dodi came to Sandpoint in 1990, and Tom's work can be seen all over the area as one of the top builders. After retirement he redesigned and patented a new version of the Pulaski hand tool (P2 Firetool) for wildland firefighters. This P2 Firetool caught the attention of CalFire, becoming the primary purchaser of the tools.

Tom enjoyed a variety of hobbies, such as surfing, windsurfing, racing road bikes, skiing, snowboarding, building and customizing cars, farming, and working with draft horses. Most notably, he was passionate about designing and inventing many new creations.

Above all, Tom's greatest joy was caring for his beloved wife, Dodi. He cherished her deeply and treated her with unwavering devotion, kindness, and respect. Their marriage was the cornerstone of his life, and his love for her will remain an enduring legacy.

He is survived by his beloved wife Dodi Sykes of Dover, ID; two sons Tommy (Liz) Sykes of Cottage Grove, OR and James (Addie) Sykes of Cottage Grove, OR; one grandson Devon; one brother Scott (Janice) Sykes of Atascadero, CA; two sisters Mary Anne Pettyjohn of Creston, CA and Kristen (Joel) David of Bellevue, WA.

He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter Holly Sykes.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Tom's online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.