Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Chesapeake Highlands Memorial Gardens

Walter Linwood Sykes Jr., age 82, ended a long battle with Parkinson’s disease, passing away peacefully with family by his side on March 22, 2025 in Edgewater, Maryland. 

Born on October 17, 1942 in Norfolk, Virigina to Walter Linwood Sykes Sr. and Catherine Williams Sykes, Walt was a proud 1964 graduate of the Virginia Military Institute where he  earned a degree in electrical engineering. After graduation, Walt served honorably in the U.S. Army and then began his lifelong career with the National Security Agency and Booz-Allen Hamilton.

Walt was preceded in death by his loving wife, Karen Lavonne Sykes. He is survived by his son, Jeff Sykes (Meghan) of Edgewater, MD; his daughter, Jackie Russell (Bill) of Annapolis, MD; his daughter, Erin Herring (Isaac) of Tuttle, OK; his cousin, Bernie Capps of Woodbridge, VA; and eleven grandchildren: Jack, Caroline, and Henry Sykes; Hunter and Madeline Russell; and Morgan, Noah, Sam, Jude, Simon, and Luke Herring. 

Walt was an avid golfer, dog-lover, and a life-long boater on the Chesapeake Bay and the rivers of Virginia and Maryland. Over the years, alumni trips, and many reunions, he treasured the brotherhood and camaraderie of his VMI “Brother Rats” and was a loyal member of VMI Keydet Club. Above all, Walt cherished quality time and holidays spent with his family, especially his beloved grandchildren. Attending sporting events, recitals, concerts, and playing games with them brought him endless joy.

Walt’s kind heart, gentle spirit, and devotion to his family will be forever remembered.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Walt’s honor to the VMI Keydet Club Scholarship Fund online at vmialumni.org/give or by mail to VMI Alumni Agencies, Keydet Scholarship Fund, PO Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450.

Family and friends are invited to visit on Sunday, April 6, 2025, from 11:00-12:00 p.m., with funeral services immediately following from 12:00-12:30 p.m., at Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd, Edgewater, MD. 

Burial services will held at 2:00 p.m. at Chesapeake Highlands Memorial Gardens, Port Republic, MD in Calvert County.


Walter L. Sykes, Jr.

Walter L. Sykes, Jr.

Walter Sykes, Jr. Services

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