Theodore Fikes

Theodore Fletcher Fikes, of Mobile and formerly of Tuscaloosa, lost his last battle in this life at 2pm on August 3, 2020. “Ted” was born at home in Pearson, Al, near Tuscaloosa, on September 13, 1932, to parents, James M. Fikes and Mary Evalou Hubbard Fikes. Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife, Sarah Cates Fikes, a son, Stephen “Stevie” Fikes (Liz Weed), his sister, Florette Fikes Reaves (W.T.) and his brother, US Army Air Corp Sgt. J. Talmadge Fikes, who was shot down over the Ploesti Oil Fields during WWII.
Left to cherish Ted’s memory are his sons, Mark E Fikes (Debbie) and J. Larry Fikes (Lan T Pham), his sisters G Louise Fikes Crunk and Marie Fikes Carastro (Lt. Col. L. Robert), 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and his dear doggies, Spot and Mary Lou. The family is deeply grateful for grandson Eric Fikes (Jessica) untiring devotion in coordinating Ted’s lengthy hospital stays and final return home.
Mr Fikes was a 1950 graduate of Tuscaloosa High School and studied Engineering at the University of Alabama and SIU - Carbondale.
During the Korean Conflict, Master Sargeant Fikes served in the US Army Medical Company – 167th Infantry from 1950 to 1952 where he supervised the entire motor pool for his company and was honored as “Soldier of the Month”. After his return to civilian life he attended college and then entered the work force. While in Tuscaloosa, Ted worked as a Fireman for the Gulf Mobile & Ohio Railroad. In Mobile, he worked first as a Draftsman, then worked his way up to Civil Engineer for the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad. In this last capacity, Mr. Fikes served as Manager of Work Equipment over an area stretching from Mobile to Chicago. He held the number two position under ICG Engineer Work Equipment. In 1987 Ted switched to the other type of engineering and drove trains. He retired in 1999.
Mr. Fikes was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Mobile. For years he and his wife were members of square-dancing clubs and were quite talented dancers. Having grown up largely in the country, Ted loved his farm. He especially enjoyed feeding the, as he referred to them, “majestic” wild turkeys on his farm and no one was allowed to hunt them! He was also an avid fisherman.
Theodore “Ted” Fikes went to join his Lord peacefully surrounded by loving family, friends and his beloved doggies.
Funeral service will be held on Monday, August 10, 2020 at 2pm from the chapel of Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1-2pm. Interment will follow in Pine Crest West Cemetery off Snow Rd.