Eugene Charles 'Gene' Sykes Sr.

Eugene "Gene" Charles Sykes, Sr. passed away at his home in Baton Rouge, La. Friday afternoon October 26, 2018. Gene was born in New Orleans on September 26, 1941. He grew up in Covington Louisiana with his Aunt El and Uncle Bill Polders, and attended Covington High School where he excelled in sports. Gene continued his athletic career with the LSU Tiger football team in the fall of 1959 and went on to play professional football for the Buffalo Bills and the Denver Broncos. While he garnered many accolades as an athlete, he was also a wonderful and selfless father to his two sons. Gene had countless friends and was extremely devoted to all of them - never putting himself above others. Gene was preceded in death by his mother, Vivian Davis Sison and his step-father, Gus Sison Sr., as well as his brothers Charles Sykes Jr. and Lewis Sison. He is survived by his sons Eugene C. (Jay) Sykes (Angie) of Donnelly Idaho, Douglas F. (Doug) Sykes (Beth) of Baton Rouge, and one grandchild, Kaitlyn Sykes of Los Angeles. He is also survived by his brother Gus Sison (MaryAnn) of Long Beach, Mississippi, his sister Susie Miller (Paul) of New Orleans, and his sisters-in-law Toni Sykes and Donna Sison. Gene is also survived by his friend, Ms. Charlotte Tillman, who gave her undying loyalty to Gene and his family for over two decades. He is loved dearly by his numerous nieces and nephews. Doug and Jay would like express their thanks to Allen and Jeanette Thomason along with Jeff Purpera, Saun Sullivan, Donna Hammons, and the entire staff at DSLD, whose loyal friendship and efforts ensured a better quality of life for Gene. The family would like to give our very special thanks to Ms. Beth Haynes who provided exceptional care and love to Gene in the last weeks of his life, and boundless support to his family. A visitation will be held at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government Street, Baton Rouge, LA on Friday, November 2nd, 2018 from 9 to 11 am followed by a brief funeral service beginning at 11am.