Arnold Ray Sikes

Arnold Ray "Fatso" Sikes, 81, passed peacefully in his sleep on December 19, 2022. Arnold was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma on November 25, 1941 to Mildred Cheatham Sikes and Willie J Sikes of Haskell, Oklahoma. At the age of three weeks, his Aunt Audrey ever-so-kindly nicknamed him Fatso, and the name stuck, despite never being fat again in his life. He is survived by his daughters, Renee Sikes of Haskell, Oklahoma, Brooke (David) Murrell of Edmond, Oklahoma, brother Willie Leon Sikes of Sun City, Arizona, grandchildren Shane Hollis, Casey Harper, Wacey Cox, and Gabriel, Reese, Owen, Hadley, Rafe and Silas Murrell, and six great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Willie Sikes, Clyde Neff, and Mildred Cheatham Sikes Neff, and daughter, Shelley Rae Cox. Fatso spent his early years in Haskell, Oklahoma. He lost his father, Willie, at the age of 3, when he enlisted in the Army and sacrificed his life for his country in World War II. His mother raised him and his brother, Leon, with the help of his grandparents, affectionately known a Grandad and Mamaw Cheatham. Fatso was ornery from the start, often telling stories of how Mamaw would take a switch to him for playing in her flowers. As he grew older, he would get into scuffles with other young boys, only to lead them back home to where his older brother Leon would finish his battles. But his favorite story of all was when he rode his motorcycle through the halls of the school. He graduated from Muskogee High School in 1960, where he played middle linebacker on the football team. In 1959, he married his high school sweetheart, Karla Barnes. Together they had two girls, Karla Renee and Shelley Rae. In 1975, he married Tanya Evans. Together they had one daughter, Emily Brooke. Fatso joined the Tulsa Fire Department in 1970. Over the years, he received many commendations and promotions during his tenure, retiring with a disability in 1983. In the 1970s, Fatso competed around the country in calf roping, earning several first place belt buckles. Fatso was always a hard worker and had an entrepreneurial spirit, owning several businesses during his life. In Haskell, Oklahoma, he started a cafe with Karla. He also owned a used car lot in Tulsa, started Tanya's Green Thumb flower shop with Tanya, and owned his own machine shop manufacturing aerospace parts. Over and over during the last couple of weeks, we have heard the words "unique" and "one-of-a-kind" to describe Fatso, and nothing could be truer. He never missed an opportunity to tell a girl how "purty" she was or try to entice her by letting her know how much his pension was. He was an avid sports fan and would watch any sporting event on TV, from NASCAR to football. He loved the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. But most of all, he loved watching his grandkids play football, baseball and softball. Services for Fatso will be held Friday, January 6th at 11 am in Haskell, Oklahoma at Landmark Bible Church.

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Arnold Ray Sikes

November 25, 1941 - December 19, 2022