CMSgt Harrell Paul Sisk exchanged his uniform for a white robe and crown on 17 Sep 2021 when he went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Dad was born in Portland, OR on June 5, 1928 - but grew up in Fort White, FL. He married the love of his life, Edna Stalnaker, on 12 Oct 1949. After traveling all over the world, they finally settled in the Niceville/Valparaiso area in 1964. After retirement from the Air Force in 1966, he worked with North West Florida College and then Civil Service at Eglin AFB, where he retired from the Freeman Mathematical Laboratory in May 1986 with 40 years of Federal & Military service.
Dad was a pioneer in the field of data processing and computers. He graduated from the first school the Air Force had for data processing in 1946. Subsequently, he participated in many notable programs during his long career in the computer industry. Dad established data processing entities in Alaska, Germany, Eglin AFB and was instrumental in developing new computer systems for the Air Force in business applications, serving on Air Force level source selection panels. He also installed and developed the first computer system in Okaloosa Walton Community College (OWCC), which is now North West Florida College. He was also the man that heard and reported the Russian satellite Sputnik 1 go up and reported it to his superiors.
Not only did Dad serve his country faithfully for 40 years, he most importantly served God at First Baptist Church on Bayshore in many capacities during his 48-year membership. Dad was ordained a Deacon in 1965 and was elected Deacon Emeritus in 2005. No job for the Lord was too small. He designed and built the frame for the Singing Christmas Tree, acted in presentations, sang in the choir and a men’s quartet, wrote the church history, served on insurance committees, drove the church bus for VBS, taught Sunday School, and went to Jakarta Indonesia for a mission trip: but his passion was working with senior and homebound adults to encourage and minister to their needs.
Dad loved his family and worked hard to ensure he met all our needs. Today, we enjoy hours of fishing, hunting and relaxation at the lake in Mossy Head he gave us. He loved his family deeply and rejoiced in his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His loved ones brought him so much love, laughter and joy in his final years.
Dad is survived by four children: Regina Werth, Wanda Riley [Randall], Richard, and Stanley [Kim]. He was blessed with 6 grand-children: Brad [Katie], Mark [Michelle], Brian [Sharmonie], Kayla [David], Courtney [Travis], and Kelsey. He was also greatly blessed with 10 great-grandchildren: Noah, Alyssa, Anthony, Sean, Jackson, Leighton, Nolan, Fletcher, Charlotte and Lillian.
Dad is preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Edna Inez Sisk; mother, Pearl Harrell Sisk; father, V. E. Sisk; and beloved daughter-in-law, Anne Sisk.
A Celebration of life service will be held at 11am on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at First Baptist Church on Bayshore with Chaplin James Beard officiating.
The family wishes to thank Hawthorn House and Emerald Coast Hospice workers in FWB and Crestview FL; his care givers: Anna Keown, Sandra Burgess, Josielu Kirchhevel; his doctors, faithful friends and pastors for their loving care of our dad during the past few years. Your kindness, love and visits will always be remembered.
In Lieu of flowers, we request that donations be made to Emerald Coast Hospice of FWB, Emerald Coast Hospice Crestview, or to the “Hope for the Future” building fund at First Baptist Church on Bayshore (622 Bayshore Drive, Niceville, FL 32578) in his memory.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Harrell P Sisk, please visit our floral store.