Benjamin Gates Sykes

Benjamin Gates Sykes, age 25, of Centreville, Virginia passed away Friday, October 30, 2015 in Richmond, Virginia. Ben was adventurous, loving, ambitious, honorable, and genuine with a passionate, caring heart. He was a smart, deep thinker, and honestly expressed his perspectives. He loved to make people laugh with his goofy sense of humor. Ben could often be found surrounded by friends working on a motorcycle. A compassionate, kind young man, Ben was determined to make a difference. He was born on September 27, 1990 in Fairfax, Virginia the son of Mark D. and Kim (Scarborough) Sykes. A 2009 graduate of Westfield High School, a Distinguished Graduate with Honors of the Virginia Military Institute (Class of 2013), Ben was currently a first year Dental Student at Virginia Commonwealth University. Survivors include his parents (Centreville, VA), older sister, Abigail Megan Sykes (Seoul, South Korea); paternal grandfather and step-grandmother, Janice & Beverly Gates Sykes, (Berkeley Springs, WV); Aunts & Uncles, Sandi & Phil Scarborough, Jr. (Cumberland, VA), Kay Scarborough & James Seaman (Chesterfield, VA), George Kevin Scarborough (Petersburg, VA) Laurie & Rich Dunham (Loudon, VA), cousins: Valery & Jon Ischinger (Harrisonburg, VA) and Dr. Shannon & Jamy Erny (Glen Arm, Md), Gates Dunham (Loudon, VA), Athyna, Connell, & Aidan Ischinger (Harrisonburg, VA), and Elise & Suzanne Erny (Glenn Arm, MD). The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 9:00 pm Friday, November 6, 2015 at the Clifton Presbyterian Church, 12748 Richards Ln, Clifton, Virginia where funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, November 7, 2015 with the Rev. Dr. Lynn Stanton-Hoyle. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to: Clifton Presbyterian Church for a fund being established in Ben's name, which will be directed toward one of his life goals-providing dental care to those in need, especially children. Checks should be made out to: Clifton Presbyterian Church **Memo: In Memory of Ben Sykes Checks should be mailed to: Clifton Presbyterian Church 12748 Richards Lane, PO Box 320 Clifton, VA 20124 or www.cliftonpc.org

Benjamin Gates Sykes

September 27, 1990 - October 30, 2015