James Sykora

James (Jim) Sykora was born on October 6, 1935 and went home to be with his Lord and Savior on November 11, 2022. He was one of six children born to Joseph J. Sykora and Ernie D. Fulmer Sykora in Avoca, Texas. He loved his Lord, family, friends and fellow church members. He particularly enjoyed the social group he founded, the ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out), and was especially fond of the many great people he met in the retirement community where he resided, including his dear friend, Joy Willens. Jim was quick witted and always ready with a fun joke. He was known for his kindness and eagerness to help others.

Jim served in the U.S. Army from 1955 To 1957, primarily stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. He was introduced to his wife, Frances who was working as a telephone operator with his sister Jean Sykora Larkin. They married on April 3, 1958 and celebrated 59 years of marriage. Together they had two children, Sharon F. Sykora McCallum and James D. Sykora, Jr.

He spent most of his career in the Banking and Mortgage Loan business, eventually owning his own company, Choice Mortgage, Inc. He was instrumental in developing the DFW Mortgage Brokerage Industry in the 1990’s. His hobbies over the years included hunting, golf, pool, landscaping and gardening. He and Frances were faithful members of Messiah Lutheran Church for over 50 years, where he served as Elder and many other capacities.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Frances, his brother LeRoy Sykora, sister, Yvonne Sykora Hutchins, sister, Ernie Jo Sykora Bishop, and brother, Mark Sykora.

He is survived by his daughter, Sharon Sykora McCallum and her husband Darrell McCallum, son Jim Sykora, Jr. and his wife Robin Kralik Sykora, Grandchildren Meagan McCallum Waggener and husband Scott Waggener, Matt McCallum and wife Amanda Judd McCallum, Emily McCallum Dudensing, and husband Emery Dudensing, Rachel Sykora Meeks and husband Toby Meeks, Ellen Sykora and Julia Sykora, along with great grandchildren Colten and Max McCallum, Weston Waggener, Denton, Emmett and Truett Dudensing, and Toby and Phineas Meeks, as well as his sister, Jean Sykora Larkin, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are joyfully invited to celebrate his life at a visitation at 1:30 pm on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at Messiah Lutheran Church, 1801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, Tx, 75075. Memorial Service to immediately follow at 3:00 pm.

His interment will occur prior to the service at 10:00 am on the morning of November 17, 2022 at DFW National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Tx 75211.