Dr. John Patrick Sikors
Dr. John Patrick Sikors
Dr. John Patrick Sikors
1923-2016
Dr. John Patrick Sikors, 92, of Wills Point, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, at his home at Lake Tawakoni surrounded by his loving family. He was born Dec. 19, 1923, in Grand Rapids, Mich. to John Peter and Marie Barbara Moffitt Sikors.
He was reunited in Heaven with his parents, his wife of 64 years, Shirley Sikors and his brother, Robert Sikors.
Enlisting on what was then known as Armistice Day, now Veteran’s Day, in 1942, Sikors proudly served his country as a Navy Fighter Pilot during World War II.
He was stationed aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Essex, which saw service in the second battle of the Philippines and in China Waters from Formosa down the China coast. His last strike was a combination air cover for the landing of the Marines on Iwo Jima and the first hit on Tokyo in February, 1943, when they took Navy Task Force 38 to Japan and engaged in general fighting. Prior to that, Japan had been hit by Army bombers but this was the first engagement for the Navy. Sikors flew over 70 missions during his duty.
He married the love of his life, the former Shirley Claire Schmidt, at St. James Cathedral, Grand Rapids, Mich. on June 16, 1945. The couple moved to Texas in 1951, where they raised their family and established a highly respected chiropractic practice in both Terrell and Greenville until his retirement in 2009.
They were members of St. John Catholic Church in Terrell and Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Quinlan, where they played vital roles in building both churches. When he was younger, Sikors enjoyed fishing, hunting, flying and most outdoor sports. He was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan but his true joy was golf. He was a life-time golfer and, during the Great Depression, he helped support his family as a caddy. He once served as President of the Oak Grove Country Club and later became a charter member of the Lively’s Tawakoni Golf Club.
Those left to cherish his memory are children: Bob Sikors and wife, Layne Herrmann; Barbara Hendricks and husband, Rick; Patti Garrett and husband Jerry; Suzzane Owen and husband, Mitch; Nancy Sanford and husband Charles and Shirley Sikors; grandchildren: Marcus Sikors and wife Elisabeth, Dr. Laci Hendricks, Lauren McCombs and husband, Scott, Kimberley Redditt and husband Clay, Haley Bell and husband Andrew, Jenna Owen, Scott Owen, Andrea Price, Christopher Price, Jennifer Weaver and Kyle Sikors; great-grandchildren: Sarah McCombs, Sage Bell and Dylan Sikors; brother-in-law, James Schmidt and wife Phyllis and sister-in-law, Peggy Keenan as well as several nieces, nephews, extended family and a host of friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Terrell.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the East Texas Food Bank, 3201 Robertson Rd., Tyler, TX, 75701. Condolences may be shared at www.maxslaytonfunerals.com.
