Michael “Mike” Eugene Sayles, 81, of Allen, Texas, passed away on March 20, 2025, doing exactly what he loved—playing golf.
Mike was born on July 18, 1943, in Wichita, Kansas, to Garnet Cox and Eileen (Popkins) Cox. Tragically, Garnet died in a plane crash shortly before Mike was born. Eileen later married John W. Sayles, a wonderful man who adopted Mike and his siblings: Jim and Kay. Soon after, their beloved little sister Diane joined the family.
As a child, Mike’s family moved to Mayfield Village, Ohio, a small suburb of Cleveland that Mike often compared to the town in “A Christmas Story”. Later, the family relocated to Dallas, Texas, where Mike attended Bryan Adams High School, making lifelong friends. Interestingly, Mike and his future wife, Karen, both attended the same high school, though their paths didn't cross much back then—she was busy studying in the library while he was playing baseball, enjoying life, and getting into hijinks with his brother, Jim, and their group of friends.
Mike graduated from Bryan Adams in 1960 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in Marketing from North Texas State University. At college, Mike became a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, where he formed lasting friendships and participated in both service projects and a fair share of legendary college parties. When Mike saw the movie “Animal House”, he swore it was based on his own college experiences, a theory his daughter Sharon fully endorsed, recalling that her friends at the University of Texas often referred to Mike as the “One Man Rolling Fraternity Party” during her own college years.
It was at North Texas where Mike met Karen, and on August 14, 1965, they married at White Rock Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas. Together, they welcomed two daughters into their lives: Shannon in 1967 and Sharon in 1973.
Mike’s career was built in sales, beginning with a long tenure at Xerox that eventually took the family to Amarillo, Texas. After a few years in Amarillo, Mike made the decision to go into business for himself, founding Wholesale Tile and Supply. Later, he worked for Daico Supply in Dallas, selling building materials for residential and commercial projects. He retired in 2013 after a fulfilling career.
Mike followed in his father’s footsteps and became an active member of the Scottish Rite and the Shriners, organizations that brought him immense joy throughout his life. He was a 32nd-degree Mason with the Edwin J. Keist Lodge in Dallas, and a proud member of both the Hella and Khiva Temples of the Shriners. Mike even served as an officer in the Divan and was on track to become Potentate of Khiva Temple before the family moved back to Dallas. While his participation in these organizations waned after the 1990s, the friendships he formed remained a treasured part of his life.
Golf was Mike’s true passion. Whether playing or watching on TV, Mike’s love for the game never wavered. He was known to play in all kinds of weather – a sort-of “postman” of the golf course. A proud moment for him came about 20 years ago when he scored a hole-in-one, witnessed by his son-in-law, Chad. Four years ago, Mike told his daughter that if he were to pass away while playing golf with his best friend, Don, he would die a happy man. True to his nature, Mike lived life on his own terms, and his wish was fulfilled.
Above all, Mike cherished his family. He loved nothing more than gathering around the dinner table, sharing laughter, stories, and good food. At family events and holidays, he often sat at the head of the table, taking it all in with a smile on his face, appreciating the company of his loved ones.
Mike is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Karen; daughters Shannon Choate and her husband Russell of Celina, Texas, and Sharon Corsentino and her husband Chad of Allen, Texas; granddaughter Shelby Raley; great-grandson Bentley Dickson; sister Diane Murphy of McKinney, Texas; beloved brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eileen and John Sayles, his brother Jim Sayles, and his sister Kay Cunningham.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital or the Shriners Burns Hospital.