James Sykes

JAMES AUBERT SYKES, 25 of Arcola, IL passed away at 5:02 A.M. Friday, June 10, 2011 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at the Humboldt United Methodist Church. Rev. Jack Woods officiated. Burial with military rites was in the Arcola Cemetery. Visitation was from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at the Edwards Funeral Home in Arcola, IL.

James was born on December 10, 1985 in Arlington Heights, IL. He was a son of Jeffrey Aubert and Jacqueline Lee (Pantaleo) Sykes.

He is survived by his parents, Jeff and Jackie Sykes of Arcola, IL, one brother, Jared Aubert Sykes of Arcola, IL, currently serving in the U.S. Army stationed in Hawaii; one sister, Jessica Anna Wright and her husband William Thomas of Mattoon, IL, currently serving in the U.S. Army stationed in Colorado Springs, CO; a nephew, Christian Vincent Peacock and a niece, Willow Bell Wright; maternal grandparents, Leonard Pentaleo and his wife Josie of Elgin, IL and Joyce Munaco and her husband Frank of West Palm Beech, FL; paternal grandfather, Charles Sykes of Decatur, IL and several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Rachel Sykes

James was a 2004 graduate of Arcola High School.

He joined the U.S. Marines Corps at the age of 17 and served four years. He attained the rank of CPL during his first year of service. He was deployed to Iraq twice. He received the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2d Awd), Iraq Campaign Medal (w/2 Bronze Service Stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Rifle Qualification badge (Expert 3rd award). He was proud to be a Marine.

He enjoyed playing the bass guitar and harmonica. He liked classic rock and roll and blues. He was good at video games. He genuinely cared about people.