Sydney Frederick Locke

Sydney Frederick Locke was born in Seattle WA and passed away peacefully on March 4, 2019, in Edmonds WA at the age of 88. Syd spent his childhood in Edmonds and graduated from Edmonds High School. He began his military service at the Army Officers Candidate School at Fort Belvoir VA. He deployed to Korea for active duty, and achieved the rank of First Lieutenant during the Korean War. Upon completing his service in the Army Corps of Engineers, he graduated from the University of Washington, School of Engineering. In his life as a civil engineer, he was involved in many road, building, and infrastructure projects, both in the Pacific NW and in Arizona. As the engineering field changed, he embraced the new technologies and taught himself 3-D CAD programs and other computer skills. Later in life, he applied his computer skills to searching out his family genealogy and keeping in touch with relatives in Canada and England. Syd was known for his playful, witty sense of humor and hearty laugh. He loved children and they loved him. He enjoyed telling stories and playing the ukulele for his family. Locally known as the Emperor of Edmonds, Syd drove around town in a bright yellow pick-up truck. Syd liked practical jokes and visual humor. For example, the scarecrow girl with a milk jug head in his front yard wore different outfits and wigs suitable to the season. She was a popular prom night photo opportunity for local teens. Syd and Faye, his wife of forty years, often offered lemonade to the police officers directing ferry traffic at the corner of their property. For twelve years, they volunteered to cook for Civil Air Patrol weekend camps. Four years ago, they moved to Mukilteo, where Syd added Mucky-muck of Mukilteo to his titles. He was a vibrant character to the last. A very physical person, Syd was a boxer as a young man. He enjoyed bowling, horseback riding, and golf. Some of his best times with his children Syd, Susan and Steve were on the golf course. He was also very creative, painting, building and fixing things, and expressing his strong 3-D visual sense. Survivors include his wife, Faye Locke of Mukilteo WA, his siblings Jack Locke and Annette Locke Carey Rockwell, and his children with Sonya Locke: Patricia Locke of Washington DC, Leslie Richard and her husband Eldon Richard of Torrington WY, Syd Locke, Jr and his wife Jessica Ryan of Olympia WA, Susan Locke of Kirkland WA, Steven Locke and his wife Dawn Chism Locke of Lynnwood WA, six. grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Syd was preceded in death by his mother, Marian “Dolly” Locke, his father Frederick Locke, his partner Jean Locke, and his sister Marian B. Locke. There will be a short graveside gathering on Friday, March 15, at 1 pm in Edmonds Memorial Cemetery. Memorials to Faye Locke.