Charles Wayne Sikes

Charles Wayne Sikes

06/04/1957-09/14/2026

It is with great sadness that the family of Charles Wayne Sikes, 69, announce his passing on September 14, 2026, surrounded by family and friends. Wayne was born on June 4, 1957, in Kermit, Texas. He was the son of Charles E. and Mary Bernadine Sikes, and loving brother to Susie Stark (Bart).

Wayne was a kind, generous, wonderfully quirky man who lived a fulfilling life. A loving husband, father, stepfather, brother, uncle, son-in-law, brother-in-law, grandfather, and friend to many. He treasured his family, friends, and his fur babies!

Music was part of his life from an early age, when he began playing piano. He played in the church, started a band in middle school, and later helped put himself through college as a studio musician. This included sessions with Aerosmith and performances with members of Paul Revere and the Raiders. He was a talented keyboardist, guitarist, and singer. Over the years he played in local bands in Albuquerque, later enjoyed playing in bands in Las Cruces with his loving wife, and eagerly taught others to play piano and the guitar.

His professional life was just as remarkable! He served as a CIA analyst before beginning a career in game programming and development that spanned more than 40 years! His work included 13 Nancy Drew games, The Vampire Diaries, Duke Nukem, Rise of the Triad, Tekken 6, Splatterhouse, Fortnite, Afro Samurai, Arcade, Wii games, and many other projects. He was also an author, woodworker, and a lifetime learner who obtained his bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1979 from The University of Texas of the Permian Basin and proudly earned his master’s degree in information technology in May of 2026 from NMSU.

He loved creating, learning, teaching, making/playing music, joking around, good food, a good Bloody Mary or margarita, Sci Fi and B movies, running rampant in Walmart with his partner in fun, and the people fortunate enough to share his life! A notorious practical joker and hellraiser in the very best way! He brought humor, curiosity, and compassion wherever he went! He always encouraged those around him to dream big.

Through organ donation, that generosity continues! His final gifts are a fitting legacy for a man who spent his life sharing, loving, and giving his all to others! He was deeply loved and will NEVER be forgotten! To our family he was the electronic fix-it guy, the rock star, the guru, and Wayne’s World!

He is preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law Bill Newman. Wayne is survived by his loving wife Verna, sister Susie (Bart), devoted daughters Emily (Matt), Kayla, sons Joshua (Odessa), JR, Michael (Savonne), Josh (Rachelle), mother-in-law Olga, 7 grandchildren, nieces and nephews, several other relatives, and friends.

A memorial service for Wayne will be held on Friday November 6, 2026 at Getz Funeral Home located at 1410 E. Bowman Ave. Family gathering starts at 10:00 a.m. and service to begin at 11:00 a.m.