FAYETTEVILLE- Devoted Christian, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, John Andrew Sykes, 83 of Fayetteville, went home to be with his Lord on Wednesday, February 15, 2012. John was born in Sampson County, on January 1, 1929. Married to Helen Hudson of Clinton in 1951, the couple made their permanent home in Fayetteville in 1955. From 1950-1956, John served in the NC National Guard. A real estate broker, insurance broker and General Contractor, John was the President and owner of Sykes Realty and Construction, building hundreds of homes in the area. He was awarded builder of the year in 2003 by the Home Builders Association of Fayetteville. Mr. Sykes was a leader in the community for over 50 years. He served on the Cumberland County School Committee from 1972 to 1985. He was a director for the Lafayette Village Fire Department for over twenty years, serving as President for ten years. John's second family was his fellow Ruritans where he served the 71st Ruritan Club for over 35 years and served as Cape Fear District Governor. A Ruritan Forever, John helped to start and nurture many new Ruritan clubs. John was a member of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church since 1955, teaching Sunday School and serving as a deacon. It was there he met some of his dearest friends including the "Dirty Dozen." John was an avid fisherman and enjoyed spending time at his beach house with his family on Topsail Island. Besides his children and grandchildren, John was most proud of his garden where he spent many hours. Mr. Sykes was preceded in death by his father, Walter McCoy Sykes, his mother, Thelma Brown Sykes, his brother, Leslie McCoy Sykes and his granddaughter, Tiffany Janette Sykes. He is survived by his wife of 60 years Helen Rose Sykes, his children Judy Elaine Rickman and husband, Dennis; John Andrew Sykes, Jr. and wife Danna all of Fayetteville, Tamela Lynn Zucco and husband Richard of Apex, David Christopher Skyes and wife Keli of Fayetteville; sister Nellaphae Morton of Jacksonville, grandchildren, Timothy Rickman, Kimberly Rickman, Jason & Rebecca Sykes, Meghan and Tyler Nelson,Dylan Sykes, Bayli Sykes, Katie Zucco, Corey Zucco, Christian Zucco , and Jennifer Nobles; great grandchildren, Rylee Sykes and Taylor Rae Sykes and many special nieces and nephews and extended family. Visitation will be held Friday evening, February 17, from 6-8 p.m. at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church on Cliffdale Road at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 18. Burial will follow at Cumberland Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to John Sykes Education Fund-Ruritan National, P.O. Box 487, Dublin, Va. 24084 or to Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, P.O. Box 40435, Fayetteville, N.C. 28309. Visitation: Firday, February, 17, 2012 from 6pm to 8pm at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home Funeral: Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 2pm in Mt, Gilead Baptist Church Burial: Cumberland Memorial Gardens