“A CHARACTER WHO CARED”

Steven Shawn Sykes, the second of five children, was born on October 13, 1959 in Kansas City, MO to Virginia (Fuller) and James (Jim) Sykes.  This family of seven would move from KC when Steve was in elementary school and live in 4 other states, but return to the KC area after the early death of Jim in May, 1972. Though moving was troublesome for some of the kids, Steve always made fast friends and became the “life of the party” at any gathering.  After returning to this area, his mother married his second Dad, David McIntyre and gained two more siblings.

Steve attended Millbrooke and Santa Fe Trail Junior High Schools in Olathe, then Olathe High School (now Olathe North).  While in high school, he got a job at the Pizza Hut across the street and became manager of this location at only 17 years old.  He then went to Cosmetology school and upon graduation accepted a job at a barber shop in Emporia, KS.  After a time, he returned to Olathe and worked at a salon in Shawnee, KS, where he met Bridget.  He would marry Bridget soon after and they had a daughter, Megan, in 1984. 

Motivated by a desire to earn more and learn more, Steve started working as an assistant carpet installer at McIntyre Carpets. This was the beginning of a long career as a flooring installer, known for his hard work, perfection and attention to detail, so much so that he often worked without a helper ‘to get the job done right’.  He would spend hours and hours on hand-carved carpet rugs.  Steve and Bridget moved to Washington, KS, where Bridget’s parents owned a carpet store.  After his divorce from Bridget, Steve moved to Salina raising his daughter Megan and continuing to work until 2010 as a self-employed carpet and tile installer until his body would not allow the physical demands of the trade.

Although, known and requested for his flooring installation skills, Steve was a student of life.  He was interested and curious in a myriad of topics, reading everything from Real Estate books to the Bible to books of trivia, always recounting some “useless bits of information” to his family and friends.  He was full of life, living large and always ensuring those around him were having a good time, generous to a fault spending his hard-earned money as he got it, often treating Salina friends to a night out and family members to many Christmas gifts, that he got so much joy out of giving.

After 9 years of enduring bad health and much pain, Steve’s doctors referred him to Hospice of Salina in February, 2019.  He remained in his home as long as he could, not wanting to give up his house, his freedom and most of all his beloved Chihuahua, Chico.  On May 18, 2019 he came to stay with his sister and her husband in Overland Park, with the help of St. Luke’s Hospice, where he could be close to his parents, David and Virginia McIntyre and his siblings, and of course, keep his dog Chico.  Steve continued his interest and curiosity in life identifying plants in the back yard, working on crossword puzzles and engaging in conversations of politics, religion, home remodeling and life.  He passed away May 31, 2019 with family at his side.

He was preceded in death by his father James Sykes and brother Pat Sykes.

Survivors include his mother Virginia McIntyre and father David McIntyre of Leawood, KS, daughter Megan Howard and grandson Gavin Sykes of Abilene, KS; three sisters Sue Ann Sykes of Olathe, KS, Cindy Applebaugh and husband Brad of Overland Park, KS and Susie Friedeman and husband Kent of Olathe, KS; sister-in-law Diane Sykes of Spring Hill, KS; two brothers Mike Sykes and husband Roy Fiedler of Kansas City, MO and Mark McIntyre and wife Jill of Boulder, CO.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 13, 2019 from 2:00 -2:30 pm, memorial service immediately following at 2:30 pm at Church of the Resurrection, Wesley Chapel, Leawood, Kansas. A reception will be held after the service at the Villas of Leawood Clubhouse, 2021 W. 139^th St., Leawood, KS 66224.  Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Salina, 730 Holly Lane, Salina, KS 67401 or St. Luke’s Hospice, 3515 Summit, Kansas City, MO 64111.