Funeral services for Harry N. Sykes, former city commissioner and mayor pro tem of Lexington, will be held Monday.

Services will begin at 6 p.m. at the Historic Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church, 540 West Maxwell Street. Visitation will be at the church from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday.

Burial will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Lexington Cemetery.

Mr. Sykes, who died Wednesday after a long illness, was born in Starkville, Miss., on April 1, 1927, son of the Rev. Pinkie and Parkay Marie Sykes.

He completed a bachelor's degree in physical education at Kentucky State University, and a later received a master's degree in mathematics from the University of Minnesota. He also played for the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team and taught at Dunbar High School in Lexington.

Mr. Sykes became the first black member of the old Lexington City Commission in 1963, and later also served as mayor pro tem, city manager and chief executive officer of the city. He was a civil rights leader in Lexington for decades.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Geraldine H. Sykes; his children, Harry, Melvin, Kevin, Paula and Kermit; two brothers, two sisters, 11 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Smith and Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Jim Warren: (859) 231-3255.