Harold Donald Sye

Harold Donald Sye passed, faithfully believing he is going to be with his Heavenly Father and knowing he is bountifully loved by his family and friends.  He attended First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro, MD where he was affectionately loved by all. 

The son of Charles Sye and Alice Criss Sye, Harold grew up in Baltimore with his brother, Charles W. Sye and his sister, Iris Campbell.  With the early passing of his father, Harold’s grandmother, the matriarch, Mamie Coleman, and his mother instilled the values that emphasized family and education.  Harold completed Frederick Douglas High School, Baltimore, MD, and went on to be the first in the family to graduate college with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Arizona State University. 

Harold shared a wonderful 32 years of marriage with the love of his life, Linda Grace Sye.  He was also a caring and generous patriarch to his step-children, Ronda Franklin and Daryl Patterson, and a loving grandfather to his grandchildren, Christina, Catherine (Katie), and Claire Franklin.  His legacy also includes nieces and nephews, Stephen Sye, Dominique Sye, Kimberly James, Darryl Sye, and Westley Sye.  A host of in-laws and great-great-great nieces and nephews are also included in the legacy. 

Truly a contribution to our country, Harold’s government service began with enlisting in the Air Force in 1951, where he trained as a bush-pilot and completed his college education.  In 1955, while stationed in Okinawa, Japan, Harold left the military and was appointed the Senior Provincial Technician of Communications with the Department of Defense.  In this leadership role, Harold was responsible for the implementation of the first computers at the department.  Gifted in computer expertise, Harold was assigned positions in the Philippine Islands, Hawaiian Islands, and Washington, D.C.  He held leadership positions with the Emergency Response Team – Advance Element (ERTA) and the National Science Foundation. 

In recognition for exemplary accomplishment, Harold was awarded the Civil Service Award by President Jimmy Carter.  Harold continued succeeding with an appointment as Chief Operating Officer at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission where he completed his government service in 1990.  He led an extraordinary life that made a difference in this world. 

Thank you Lord for your gift.  Harold will not only live in our memories, but also in our sharing and speaking of our experiences being with him. 

Private burial with military honors will be held by immediate family only.  A celebration of life memorial will be announced at a later date when family and friends may gather safely.  Harold will be laid to rest at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Harold’s name may be made to First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro, 7415 Crain Highway, Upper Marlboro, MD  20772. 

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