Sergeant "Alan" Sikes,

Sgt. First Class Robert Alan Sikes, U.S. Army Reserve, age 37, of Hiddenite, passed away unexpectedly in San Francisco, Calf. , of an apparent heart attack, following a bike ride on Sat. Jan. 28,2012. He was a member of the Army Reserve, 3rd Batt. 518th Reg. of the 98th Training Div. of the 108th Training Command, Fort Jackson, SC, stationed at Fort Hunter-Leggett, Calf. Born, Feb. 15, 1974, in Mecklenburg , Co., to Robert Van and Jeanne Kiker Sikes of Fort Mills, SC., he was an active reservist for the past nineteen years. Sgt. Sikes was a member of Liledoun Baptist Church and a  employee of Mitchell-Gold before  deployment. He was an avid bicyclist, having  ridden every year in the Multiple Sclerosis 150, and was an Eagle Scout and outdoorsman, as well as devoted to the United States military. He will always be remembered  for his “crazy socks” and his constant pranks. In addition to his parents he is survived by his wife, Jamie Gant Sikes of the home. One son, Robert  “Eli” Sikes of the home and one daughter, Madison Withers of Dallas, NC. Left to cherish his memory is his mother-in-law and step- father-in-Law, Justin and Tracey Icenhour  of Taylorsville,as well as his father-in-law, Terry Gant, of Taylorsville.  He counted all of his United States Army brothers and sisters as part of his family. Visitation will be held Saturday evening, Feb. 4,2012,  from 6-9:00p.m. at Alexander Funeral Service in Taylorsville, with funeral services on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. at Liledown Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. James Lockee and Rev. Luke Maybry will officiate. Pallbearers will be members of the 108th Training Command. Military rites will be afforded at the graveside by members of the North Carolina National Guard and the 108th Training Command. In addition to flowers memorials may be made to Multiple Sclerosis  Foundation, 6520 N. Andrews Ave. ,Fort Lauderdale, Fl. 33309. Arrangements are entrusted to Alexander Funeral and Cremation Service in Taylorsville.

Link to Video complied by the mortuary in California that handled the care of Sgt. Sikes body: http://bayareamortuary.com/fallen-soldier-sikes.html

Photo album of his departure from LA: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.353543801336368.89005.115583271799090&type=1