Don Sikes

1930 - 2026

Don Marquis Sikes, 95, died on January 3, 2026, in Frederick, MD. Don was born on March 29, 1930, in Muleshoe, TX. His parents, Easter Maurie Arnold and James Lovic Sikes, predeceased him, as well as his former wife, Patricia Gay Carter, sister and brother-in-law, Donna Sue Sikes and Mike Mahoney, and wife Ann VanLieshout.

Don graduated from Spring Hill High School, Kilgore Junior College and Texas Tech University where he earned a degree in chemistry. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and was stationed in Korea from 1952-1954. He was assigned to the 8th Army Chemical Corps and was responsible for generating large-area smoke screens to obscure military objectives from observation and attack. He first served as a Field Wireman and was honorably discharged as a Chemical Smoke Generator Operations Sergeant. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars and multiple campaign ribbons. He will have a private inurnment at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.

In 1956, Don married and moved from Lubbock, TX to the Washington, DC metropolitan area with Pat and over 30 years, they raised five children. Don began his federal career working for the Atomic Energy Commission/Department of Energy. In 1964, he transferred to Albuquerque, NM where he accepted a position as Branch Manager. In 1966, he transferred back to Maryland, built a home in Frederick, and continued to work for the agency as a Chemist Statistician. After a 30-year federal career with the agency, Don retired and worked for SAIC. He traveled extensively for his professional career which spanned 50 years.

After Don retired in the mid-1990s, he moved to Lewes, DE. He built a second home in Deep Creek Lake and was very generous in inviting family and friends to vacation in both homes. He and his wife, Ann, lived in Milford, DE for 19 years, cruising to warm destinations, travelling out west, and visiting Ann's family in Holland. After Ann died in 2023, Don moved back to Frederick to live with his daughter, Susan, and her husband, Matt.

Don loved the outdoors and was an expert angler, traveling throughout the United States, in search of great flyfishing streams, stillness and sunlight. He made lifelong friends on his journeys to his favorite fishing spots in the northwest and often revisited National parks.

He was a true Texan and fortunate to have lived a long and full life. He was honest, direct, and straightforward in his words and actions. He was spirited, had a contagious and hearty laugh, and was true to his word. He lived his life with no regrets and repeatedly told his children, while laughing, "You're gonna miss me when I die."



Survivors include his five children, Karen M. Pla (Wilfred), Linda L. Selzer (Kirk), Mark W. Sikes (Lauren), Susan E. Shelton (Matthew), and Diane E. Sikes, ten grandchildren (Rebecca, Caitlin, Breanne, Lucie, Thomas, Meghan, Parker, Allyson, Andrew and Hannah), one great-grandson (Osborn), his brother Jim E. Sikes (Brenda), his nephew James B. Sikes (Haley), Ann's children Rich (Sally) and Dan (Currie), and multiple cousins and dear friends.

And yes, Dad/Don, we all miss you. Very much!

A celebration of life service and reception will be held at the Shookstown Social Hall at 7535 Old Receiver Road, Frederick, MD 21702 on Sunday, March 29, 2026, from 1:00-4:00 pm. Don Sikes