#Melvin P. Sikes

[carolynmappleton]

I recently came upon recordings of the 1972 Civil Rights Summit which included a good friend of mine, the late Dr. Melvin P. Sikes. The recordings are posted as a group on the YouTube channel of the LBJ Library. What a marvelous event!

Ten years later, I would go to work for Mel in the College of Education at UT while I was attending graduate school. We became fast friends. I helped Mel transition to Professor Emeritus. A link to a book he co-authored is below. It is an excellent discussion and recommended.

[carolynmappleton]

When working my way through graduate school at The University of Texas at Austin in the 1980s, one of my work-study jobs was with Dr. Melvin P. Sikes. We became lifelong friends. Delighted to see this online.

[carolynmappleton]

Austin Police Operation Blue Santa Breakfast and Silent Auction 2019

Thanks to the donors, to Santa’s Helpers (and our inspiring cheerleaders), KOKE FM, Austin Coffee Traders and Austin Police Department. Wonderful event!

I like to attend this event when I can, because my late friend of more than 35 years Melvin P. Sikes, Ph.D., Tuskegee Airman helped found this program working as a multicultural consultant with the Austin Police Department many years ago. He used to tell me about delivering the first few gifts to needy families along with the Chief of Police - by themselves - in their cars!

[carolynmappleton]

Melvin P. Sikes, Ph.D. | Tuskegee Airman | Laid to Rest

“Mel Sikes was laid to rest this morning [February 14, 2013] at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.” Above is an Instragram I took during the service.

Thanks to the outstanding staff of Fort Sam Houston for the beautiful, deeply meaningful service.

I knew Mel for some 30 years, and we were quite close. Click on Mel's name above to reach an earlier Tumblr for more information. After Mel died, I remained in touch with his widow, Zeta Sikes. I was glad I was able to do so, having returned to live in Austin in summer, 2013. Zeta passed away in November, 2015.

[carolynmappleton]

The Late Melvin P. Sikes, Ph.D.

This Tumblr is an update and re-write of an earlier posting in 2011. Mel Sikes passed away peacefully on May 16, 2012. He was interred at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery the following year.

I met Mel and Zeta in the early 1980s. I had been approved for graduate study in art history at The University of Texas at Austin. Being penniless but a promising young scholar, I obtained a variety of part-time jobs to get through school (along with a student loan now long since repaid to Uncle Sam). 

One of those jobs was working for Mel in the Department of Educational Psychology in the College of Education. Mel had his office next door to Kinky Friedman’s father, Tom, in fact (also a highly regarded professor). 

Mel and I became fast friends, and eventually I met his wife, Zeta, who is shown above in the photograph by Ave Bonar. The photo was taken during my wedding reception in 1984 (the color image was taken by me during Mel's memorial service).

Mel and I knew one another 30 years. You can read a biographical sketch in the Austin American-Statesman.

Mel was a Tuskegee Airman and Professor Emeritus of The University of Texas at Austin. He was well-known for tackling tough race relations issues.

Mel's book (with Joe Feagin), "Living with Racism," is a classic. Once you read it, you won’t soon forget it. The book gives you a clear sense of what racism is like from the standpoint of those who have experienced it. I am honored to have my own autographed copy. You can acquire it by following this link to Amazon.