Ernest Charles Sykes, age 87, formerly of North Platte, passed away February 5, 2015 in Kansas City, MO. He was born April 25, 1927 at Wallace, NE. to Ernest and Ruth (Saunders) Sykes. Ernie always had a kind and gentle way about him, he made friends everywhere he went. He enjoyed reading with the Kids Klub at Lincoln Elementary School and was an avid woodworker. Working on the State Farm, he broke horses. He worked side by side with “Chief Honest John” in his wood shop. He worked at Leo’s Flowers for a number of years, and was an assistant at Tabler Memorial Chapel and Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Survivors include his children, Jerry L. Sykes of Paloa, KS, Kathy Sykes of Smithville, MO, and Timothy Charles Sykes of Kansas City, MO, Peggy Sykes of Springfield, MO, sisters, Irene Fisher of Morril, NE, Sharon (Larry) Freeze, and Dorothy (Al) Osterlund, all of North Platte, a dear friend, Dorothy McElduff, five grandchildren, Carolyn, Amy, Michael, Sarah, and Elisabeth, great-granddaughters, Haylee, and Breonna, and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Steven, three brothers, Harold Sykes, Donald Sykes, Merril Kramer, and two sisters, Verna Reeves, Burnelle Hovey. Services will be 1:30pm Thursday, February 12, 2015 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Burial will be at the Morning View Cemetery in Wallace. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Visitation will be from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm Wednesday with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 at the funeral home. A memorial has been established in his memory. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.