Olen Sikes, 90, of West Point, passed away on February 7, following a short illness.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Montague Hudson Sikes, and daughters, Mary Alicia Sikes and Amy Montague Sikes, and his sister, Beatrice Rose Sikes Brisbane. He was preceded in death by his daughter Allison Marolen Sikes and parents, Mary Evelyn Rose Sikes and Herman Sikes.
A native of West Point, Olen was active in Boy Scout Troop 340, as one of its first Eagle Scouts and troop leader while still in high school. He was honored to be selected to attend Boy Scout Jamborees, to march in Eisenhower’s Inauguration Parade in 1953, and to participate in a Philmont Boy Scout Ranch trip to New Mexico. It was on that trip that he became a lifelong friend and mentee of Scout leader, Dr. George Ritchie. Olen had many unforgettable memories of his Boy Scout Canadian Canoe trip, when he carried his canoe between waterways as part of the adventure. He later became a Boy Scout District Commissioner, responsible for eight Virginia counties.
Olen attended national conventions for the West Point Jaycees, was active in West Point Kiwanis Club and in West Point United Methodist Church. He was a member of West Point Town Council for several years with numerous accomplishments during that time, including setting up a town website.
Olen and his wife traveled extensively, visiting every state except Alaska. They made numerous trips to Europe, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico, where they took special interest in the Mayan Ruins.
He earned a B. S. in Chemistry from the University of Richmond and attended the Medical College of Virginia. In 1994, he retired as Safety Director of Chesapeake Corporation in West Point, after 34 years with the company. He later worked as substitute teacher and bus driver for West Point Schools.
Olen loved people and seeing and chatting with old friends and those he knew or worked with during his days at Chesapeake.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the West Point Volunteer Fire Department, Boy Scout Troup 340, or West Point United Methodist Church.
