1961 - 2023

Roy William Fiedler III, 62, of Kansas City, MO passed away Monday, September 11 in his home surrounded by love and family.

Roy was born in Pittsburgh, PA on June 18, 1961, to Helen (Dewalt) and Roy W. Fiedler, Jr.  The family moved to Vermilion, Ohio where he attended elementary and high school.  After graduating, Roy attended Kent State University, but had to leave for medical reasons.  Undeterred after surgery to remove one of his kidneys, he then attended Bowling Green State University.  He left college to pursue his true calling in retail, fashion, and sales.

Roy married Lisa Panebianco and they had two sons, Jonathan (Jay) and Nicholas, remaining in the idyllic town of Vermilion on Lake Erie.  He became Commodore of the Vermilion Boat Club, doubling the size of its retail shop and revenue for the Club.  Employed by Dillard’s as a Buyer, he traveled to Kansas City to manage his Austin Reed account.  After his divorce and recruitment by Kansas City Dillard’s, Roy made the permanent move, eventually landing his dream job at Eileen Fisher and working his way to National Brands Manager.  He met Mike Sykes February 19, 2004, marrying on October 22, 2016.  Mike and Roy shared their love of travel to Aruba and Ft. Myers Beach, their love of friends often inviting the lonely or alone for dinner and holidays, and their love of fashion and retail.  Roy loved to work as evidenced by his yearly calendar he left on his desk, each day filled with one of his three jobs he currently held through the end of the year, including traveling for Eileen Fisher, catering for Brancato’s and serving at Chiefs games and concerts for PerCup.  After losing a friend to AIDS, Roy became passionate about and raising money for the AIDS Walk every year in Kansas City.

Roy is survived by his husband, James (Mike) Michael Sykes of Kansas City, his parents, Helen and Roy Fiedler, Jr. of Vermilion, OH, sons Jay Fiedler (Amy Simcik) of Pittsburgh, PA, and Nicholas Fiedler (Dee) of Vermilion, OH, stepdaughters Kristina Smith of Spring Hill, KS, Taylor Brown (Blake) of Spring Hill, KS and Lauren Groth (Andy) of Eagle, WI.

“Papa Roy” leaves his adoring step-grandchildren, Taiven Smith, Evelyn, Emmery and Layken Brown.  “Uncle Roy” will be missed by many nieces and nephews, especially nephew, Gavin Sykes, who he spent a good deal of time mentoring.  “Mister Roy” leaves the neighbor children longing for his big smile, booming voice, and plaid pajama pants. Roy’s larger than life presence due to his passion, purpose, and persistence, will leave a huge void in the hearts of his loving husband, extended family, countless friends, co-workers, and neighbors.

To honor Roy, a Celebration of Life will be held 2:00 pm, Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at Resurrection Brookside, 5144 Oak Street, Kansas City, MO 64112.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Roy’s passion of fighting AIDS and cancer at  AIDS Walk Kansas City 2023 , 816.931.0959 and The Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute Research Fund, St. Luke’s Foundation, 901 E. 104^th St., Ste 100 South, Kansas City, MO 64131 or online at saintlukeskc.org/give-in-memory