Amos Hykes Obituary

It is with profound sadness of the loss of Amos Hykes, also known as, General Amos Hykes. A leader, husband, father, brother and to many, the dearest friend. The "General" was born in Greencastle, Pennsylvania to Jerome H. Hykes and Dolly Singelton Hykes on September 18, 1938. He graduated from Greencastle High School and proudly enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he trained in Security Forces as an active-duty soldier at the age of 19 years old in 1958. His service in the Air Force included being stationed in Japan at Ashiya Air Base in security forces, next in Southeast Asia, including a tour in "Plain of Jars" in the country of Laos during the Vietnam War. While continuing in security forces of the United States Air Force, he eventually was stationed state side. His United States duty station was Dow Air Force Base in Maine where he met his wife, Frances Hykes. They were married in 1966 at Homestead Air Force Base in Florida before coming to Greenville, South Carolina.

General Hykes transitioned to another branch of the United States' military once in South Carolina and served another six years as an Army Reservist and worked at Fort Jackson in South Carolina, Fort Campbell in Kentucky and Fort Lee in Virginia where his Military Occupational Specialty was Medical Social Worker and addressing PTSD and other issues among soldiers returning from the war.

He graduated from Clemson University with his bachelor's degree in education and then completed his master's degree in social work and eventually worked on his doctoral degree in education. He worked for some time as a school principal in various public schools in the Greenville County School District including the Donaldson Career Center where he worked alongside his wife, Frances.

After retirement General Hykes continued to serve his country as well as the state of South Carolina in various command positions in the South Carolina State Guard where he was the Commandant of the South Carolina State Guard school detachment and other areas of the South Carolina State Guard. He became the Commander of a special unit of the State Guard called the RAIDERS. (Rapid Assistance in Disasters & Emergency Responses). He was also the commander of Jump School through the Royal Lao Airborne (RLA) association where many of us were able to earn our Jump wings alongside other military personnel including cadets from the Citadel. As the Commander for United States' states and territories of the Royal Lao Airborne, he also established airborne training weekends and events while awarding Lao Jump Wings to those who completed their required jumps. Through his guidance and vision, he eventually instituted training in Jungle courses, Desert Raider courses, Mountain Rescue, Ham Radio training and various First Aid classes.

Throughout his life he would visit local schools in the Greenville area to talk to young students about his military career. He was instrumental in helping to form a local aspect of the Royal Lao Airborne Association alongside his dear friend Gen KB. General Hykes served in his local American Legion as a Post Commander, as well as, District Commander. He was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veteran, a 32nd degree Mason and a member of Sojourners, a Mason organization of military members. In addition, he served for four years as a member of the School Board at St Mary's Catholic School in Greenville, South Carolina.

He was a kind friend to many and always willing to lend a hand. The word "service" embodies all that General Hykes has done. This glimpse into his life on these pages does not begin to describe the depth of his service to his family, friends, community and country.

He will be missed by all of us who were blessed in this life to know him, to help serve alongside him, to be under his command and learn from his wisdom. His love for a life of service and dedication was evident in his lengthy military life, career and community service.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Frances Hykes and his parents. He is survived by his son, Jeff Sheasley of Maryland; his younger sisters, Gladys Hykes Henson of Arkansas and Mildred Hykes Starliper of Florida; alongside his brother-in-law, Ron Dinko of Greenville; and many nieces; nephews; and dear friends.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 12, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes, Downtown. The funeral service will be Friday, February 13, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes, Downtown.

Friends are encouraged to share their favorite memories of Amos with the family by clicking on the button labeled "Share A Memory".

Military Awards

United States Air Force

1. Meritorious Service Medal

2. Good Conduct Medal

3. Air Force Achievement Medal

4. Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Medal

United States Army

1. Army Commendation Medal

2. Army Achievement Medal

3. Army Good Conduct Medal

4. Armed Forces Service Medal

5. Cold War Service Medal

Royal Lao Airborne

1. Crown Prince Medal (Highest Achievement)

2. 2024 Presidential Citation

3. RAIDER Advanced Ribbon

4. Jungle Warfare Expert Ribbon

5. RLA Service Ribbon

6. RLA Readiness Ribbon

7. RLA Efficiency Ribbon

8. RLA Individual Achievement Ribbon

9. RLA Good Conduct Ribbon

FOREIGN PARACHUTIST BADGES

General Hykes earned multiple foreign airborne qualifications, including but not limited to:

1. Lao Jump Wings

2. German Jump Wings

3. Italian Jump Wings

4. Slovakian Jump Wings

5. Swiss Jump Wings

RAIDER on SIR & AATW