Tom Sykes, 80

Thomas Allan Sykes Jr, 80, passed away Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Dover, Idaho.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, at the Marigold Bistro (Columbia Bank building).

Tom was born Feb. 24, 1945, in Long Beach, Calif., to Thomas and Mary Louise Sykes. He graduated from Poly High School in Long Beach.

Tom served his country in the United States Army and was stationed in South Korea. He then completed his degree in industrial design at Long Beach State University.

Tom married Dodi Gilchrist in Aspen, Colo., on Aug. 18, 1979. He spent his career as a general contractor; building custom homes for many Sandpoint residents and a few notable people; singer John Denver and local artist Steven Lyman.

Tom and Dodi came to Sandpoint in 1990, and Tom’s work can be seen all over the area as one of the top builders. After retirement he redesigned and patented a new version of the Pulaski hand tool (P2 Firetool) for wildland firefighters. This P2 Firetool caught the attention of CalFire, becoming the primary purchaser of the tools.

Tom enjoyed a variety of hobbies, such as surfing, windsurfing, racing road bikes, skiing, snowboarding, building and customizing cars, farming, and working with draft horses. Most notably, he was passionate about designing and inventing many new creations.

Above all, Tom’s greatest joy was caring for his beloved wife, Dodi. He cherished her deeply and treated her with unwavering devotion, kindness, and respect. Their marriage was the cornerstone of his life, and his love for her will remain an enduring legacy.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Dodi Sykes of Dover, Idaho; two sons, Tommy (Liz) Sykes of Cottage Grove, Ore., and James (Addie) Sykes of Cottage Grove, Ore.; one grandson, Devon; one brother, Scott (Janice) Sykes of Atascadero, Calif.; two sisters, Mary Anne Pettyjohn of Creston, Calif., and Kristen (Joel) David of Bellevue, Wash.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a daughter, Holly Sykes. 

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Tom’s online memorial at lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.