MAJ (RET) James Weldon Sickler

Searcy Funeral Home & Crematory

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Posted by: MikeThompson
[email protected]
334-393-2273 or 334-347-2517
Date: Apr 25 2023 10:53 AM

James Weldon Sickler, age 77, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, April 23, 2023, after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, April 28, 2023, at Enterprise First United Methodist Church with Rev. Gary Daniel and Rev. Billy Luttrell officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at Meadowlawn Cemetery with Searcy Funeral Home & Crematory directing. The family will receive friends at the church from 12:00 PM until service time.

Mr. Sickler, who was known by those closest to him as Jim, Big Jim, or Grandpa, was born on August 10, 1945, to Anne Lipney Sickler and William Weldon Sickler in Houston, Texas.  He spent his childhood years in Texas and graduated from Perryton High School in 1963.

Jim entered the U.S. Army immediately after graduation when he was just 17 years old.  He served on Active Duty for twenty-two years in various capacities and locations.  He began his career as an enlisted Radar Repairman before becoming an Aviation Warrant Officer. He ultimately applied for and received a commission as an Armor Officer and was assigned to the Armor Branch.  When the Aviation Branch was established he was then reassigned to an Aviation Unit where he served out his time as a pilot in his beloved Huey.  Throughout the course of his career he served two tours in Vietnam.  The first was in 1967 with the 173rd Airborne Brigade.  The second was in 1971 with the 101st Airborne Division.  Jim finished his military career after serving a five-year duty assignment in Germany, with two years at Sembach Airbase and three years at Ramstein Airbase as the Army liaison to the Air Force. He retired at the rank of Major, having been awarded a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Metal, Air Medal, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Upon retirement, Jim transitioned his love of flying into a twenty-five year career as an Instructor Pilot at Fort Rucker.  He worked in the Initial Entry Aviation Training School taking the responsibility to teach those who had never flown before all the skills they would need to have successful careers.  After routine vision issues that come with aging prevented him from being at his best in the cockpit, Jim “grounded” himself for safety reasons.  During the final years of his career as an instructor pilot, he also became a restauranteur up until just a few a years ago.

Jim is survived by the love of his life and wife of 47 years, Margaret Wilson Sickler; his three sons Charles Wilson Kirby (Jean Marie), James Edward Sickler (Jennifer), and William Robert Sickler (Stephanie); his four grandchildren, Olivia, Wesley, Jewel, and Sebastian; and his siblings Robert Sickler (Rose) and Claudia Browne.  He led a full life, was beloved by his family, and will be greatly missed by all those whose life he touched.  May he Rest in Peace.

You may sign the register book or send condolences to the family at our website:   www.searcyfuneralhome.com .

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