Charles R. Sikes

Born July 29, 1926, in Dallas, Texas, died peacefully at the age of 73 in his home in Lakeway, Texas, on June 2, 2000, with his family by his side.
Mr. Sikes was a respected national and international architect whose career spanned more than 40 years. He was a Co-Founder and Director of 3/D International and later Sikes Jennings Kelly Architects in Houston.
He grew up in Carrollton, Texas and started his career in Denton while attending North Texas State University after attending Texas A & M for a brief period. In 1952 he moved his family to Los Angeles, California, to join the renowned architectural and engineering firm of Welton Becket & Associates. He moved back to Houston in 1960 as Vice President and Director to establish a Branch office to oversee the design and construction of the Humble Oil Building (Exxon) in downtown Houston. For a long time it was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River and lead the construction boom that later took place in Houston. In 1964 he joined Neuhaus + Tyler Architects in Houston as a General Partner and later became President and CEO, responsible for the design and construction of many prominent building throughout the United States and Texas.
During this period N+T designed most of Gerald Hines projects including the original Galleria Hotel. Office and Shopping Complex.  He was responsible for such prominent skyscrapers in Dallas as the Southland Life Building, Campbell Center, 2001 Bryan Street Tower, and Pacific Place Office Building. He was responsible for Houston's Cullen Center, Dresser Tower, 500 and 600 Jefferson Towers, the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Houston Center 1 & 2 and Texas Commerce Tower and Austin's Marriott at the Capitol Hotel among others. He believed strongly that "architects must be good businessmen as well as good designers".

He was a member of the American Institute of Architects, Texas Society of Architects and the National Council of Architectural Registration Board, and authored "Budgeting & Scheduling". Chapter 10, Current Techniques of Architectural Practice, Published in 1976. He held professional registrations in over 20 states and also helped to develop the fast track design and construction process in Houston that is widely used in today's construction market. He enjoyed golfing, ranching, and sharing time with his family and friends. He was a longtime member and Past President of Lakeside Country Club, the Houston Club, Petroleum Club, and most recently The Hills Country Club in Lakeway.

He was preceded in death by his father, Charles R. Sikes, and mother, Janette Brandenburg Sikes Ottmar.

He leaves his beloved wife of 54 years, Bettye Marie Davis Sikes; as well as his four children, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Daughters are Deborah Nolen and husband Bob Nolen of Austin, Cindy Beach of Sugar Land, Harriet Sikes of Katy, and one son. Herschel Davis Sikes and wife Barbara Sikes of Katy. Grandchildren, Melissa Walden and Melinda Roehrig of Dallas, Charles Brett Beach of Sugar Land, Lindsay Marie Sikes and Amy Leigh Sikes of Katy, Christopher Stump and Charles Stump of Katy; and three great-grandchildren, Jenna Walden, Jarrett Walden and Matthew Roehrig of Dallas.
A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held Saturday June 10, 2000 at 11:30 a.m., Memorial Oaks Cemetery Chapel in Houston.
Family requests contributions be made to Alzheimer's Research or to The American Heart Association.
We also want to give special thanks to his doctors, and caregivers, Robin, Rose, Randy, Jimmy, Patricia, Mary and Maggie, who gave our dad the loving care and attention that we shall always remember.
Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar, 452-8811

Austin American-Statesman
Austin, Texas - Monday, June 5, 2000

Memorial Oaks Cemetery, Houston, Harris County, Texas