Jehu Evan "Jay" Sikes, a cherished father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia with his daughter and son by his side. Jay was 97 years old.

Jay was born on November 5, 1926, in Winnfield, Louisiana to Dennis Eugene Sikes and Myrdis Dark Sikes. He grew up in Winnfield and always remembered fondly the simpler life and times there with his family and many cousins.

Jay attended Louisiana Tech University before enlisting in the United States Army. While in the Army, he served overseas during the Korean War as a Corporal. After returning from the war, Jay moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he met and married his wife, Joanne Scaccia.

Jay spent approximately 25 years with Gates Rubber Company, where he held various sales management positions, was Manager of the Year a number of times and a member of Gates' Ambassador Club among other awards.

After retiring, he found joy working at a local golf course, where he took on multiple roles and enjoyed his passion for golf. Once a 15-handicappper, Jay enjoyed and became proficient in buying golf club components, repairing and creating custom golf clubs for members, running a successful side business that served many members of the club community.

Jay was a lifelong LSU football fan. He was a season ticket holder for many years and loved to tell the story of attending the famous 1959 Halloween game against Ole Miss, where Billy Cannon's run assumed greater and greater significance with the passing years. In later years, Jay developed a passion for Premier League Soccer and adopted Newcastle as his team.

Jay took a lot of pride in his lawn and spent countless hours tending to it. He continued mowing the grass up until two weeks before his death.

Jay is survived by his daughter, Cynthia Sikes Driscoll, and husband Terence Driscoll; his son, David E. Sikes and wife Elizabeth Payne Sikes, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; and by his loving companion and dog "Sassy" as well as many caring friends and neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dennis Eugene Sikes and Myrdis Dark Sikes; his brother, Gary; his sister, Maxine; and his wife of 62 years, Joann Scaccia Sikes.

In the last 8 years of his life, his faithful companion, Sassy, was his best friend and shadow. You would never find the two of them more than an arm's length apart, and they both found joy in each other's company.

A memorial service celebrating Jay's life will be held at a later date.

Jay will be deeply missed but lovingly remembered for his enduring spirit, passion and dedication to his family.

Friends may express messages of condolence online by visiting southernfuneralhome.com