Sammy Ray Sikes

Sammy Ray Sikes 

October 14, 1946 – September 3, 2025 

Sammy Ray Sikes, age 78, was a husband, father and grandfather. He went home to meet his Lord and Savior on September 3, 2025 due to cancer from Agent Orange. He was born on October 14, 1946 in Brenham, Washington County, Texas. He was the son of Oscar R. Sikes and Gloria M. (Bolsins) Sikes. He married Kimberly S. (Vernlund) (Johnson) on May 18, 2002 at Pioneer Park in Bell County, Texas.

Sammy grew up in Temple and attended Temple High School. He and his family were charter members of Meadow Oaks Baptist Church in Temple. Sammy was in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division as a paratrooper, where he served two tours in Vietnam. He received several honors and medals while in the Army. Sammy was self-employed as the owner of Southwest Masonry. He learned his masonry skills at a young age from his uncle, Shelley Bolsins. Sammy used to love to go sailing in his sailboat. He loved to ride his Harley motorcycle. He was a member of the elite Bell County Red Rag Motorcycle Society, where he served as Road Captain. He planned all of the blood drives, Toys for Tots drives, fund-raisers and group road trips. Sammy was always helping others and was very independent, not ever asking others for help. When his father became ill, Sammy moved in with him and became his primary caregiver, while still working and running his business. Sammy also loved to spend time fishing at the coast. He loved to cook, especially for the holidays. The turkey and dressing, ham, potato salad, mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, desserts and "Sikes' Tea" had to be perfect. He loved his pet dogs, especially Red and Zorro. His nieces and nephews referred to him as "the cool uncle." He loved to joke and tell stories.

Sammy was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Bobby Wiley, Sr. He is survived by his wife, Kimberly S. (Vernlund) (Johnson) Sikes; son, Michael Ray Sikes (Vanessa) in Temple; stepson, Jeremiah Johnson (LeeAnne) in Killeen; grandchildren: Parker Sikes, Lauren Sikes, Austin Jackson; step-grandchildren: Michaella Johnson and Angelica Johnson; brother, Freddy Sikes (Tonie) in Huntsville; sisters, Mellicent (Sikes) Wiley in Huntsville and Shelley (Sikes) Wilde (Dave) in Temple; sister-in-law, Caroline Hawley (Rick) in Austin; Caryn Ryan in Tempe, Arizona; Mike Vernlund in Seattle, Washington; nieces and nephews: Christy (Sikes) Atkins (Wade), Kerri (Sikes) Thompson (Joel), Travis Sikes (Rian), Bobby Wiley II (Michelle), Heather (Wiley) Christian (Jason), Heath Wiley, Justin Wiley (Joanna), Joey Mraz (Krissy), Chad Mraz, Brian Mraz (Jennifer), several great-nieces and nephews; aunt Vanny Bolsins in Temple; and numerous cousins and friends.

The family cannot thank enough the pastors, medical staff, honor guards, neighbors and friends for their prayers and thoughtfulness during this time.

There will be a "Celebration of Life" service in the main auditorium at Meadow Oaks Baptist Church, 3001 Meadow Oaks Drive, Temple, Texas 76502 on Friday, October 3, 2025 at 9 a.m.

After the Celebration of Life service, there will be a family and friend visitation in the fellowship hall at the church. Refreshments will be served from 10-11:30 a.m.

Procession from the church to the graveside service will start at 11:30 a.m. The graveside service will be at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, at 11463 State Highway 195, Killeen, TX 76542 on Friday, October 3, 2025 at precisely 1 p.m. with military rites. Please allow for the busy Friday afternoon traffic.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Sammy Sikes' memory can be mailed to The Sikes Family Scholarship Endowment, Attention: Office of University Advancement, SHSU, Box 2537, Huntsville, Texas 77341-2537 or to Meadow Oaks Baptist Church Building Fund, 3001 Meadow Oaks Drive, Temple, Texas 76502.

Please keep the family in your prayers during this time. You may leave a message for the family on the Crawford Bowers Funeral Home's website in Temple.



The memorial service will be videotaped and available on the church YouTube channel after the service @meadowoaks9482.