Michael E. Sayles

Michael E. Sayles

November 5, 1960 – September 28, 2024

On November 5, 1960, Delbert Sr. and Vicky welcomed their second child to the world in Omaha, Nebraska. Mike had four older siblings: Jean Ann, Delbert Jr., Patricia, and Mark. Later, his sisters, Tracy and Kelly, joined them. Mike spent all his early years in Omaha, residing in the Florence area until his early teens, when the family moved west to the Keystone area around 90th and Maple.

In his youth, Mike delivered newspapers for the Omaha World Herald in the Keystone neighborhood, ran reel-to-reel movie projectors in Valley, Nebraska, and then the Maplewood Theatre in Omaha. Young Mike’s other interesting jobs included grave digger and lawn mower at Mt. Hope Cemetery.

Mike was in a hurry to grow up and begin his adult life, so he completed his GED and joined the US Air Force in February 1979. Mike used to call himself a high school dropout, but Laurie scolded him and told him he was not. He went on to receive an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and Master’s Degree.

Mike proudly served his country from February 28, 1979, to February 28, 1999. While serving in the Air Force, Mike’s jobs included

• Tactical Aircraft Maintenance (except F-15/F-16/F-17) Craftsman for 12 years, 9 months.
• Aerospace Maintenance (C-135/E-3/E-4) Journeyman, one year
• Aerospace Maintenance Craftsman, 6 years, 1 month

Mike received numerous awards while in the Air Force. As many of you know, he was quite the slacker and underachiever. 🙂

• Air Force Achievement Medal with three devices
• Air Force Commendation medal with one device
• Meritorious Service Medal with one device
• Air Force Longevity Service Award with four devices
• Air Force Training Ribbon
• Southwest Asia Service Medal with one device
• Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon
• National Defense Service Medal
• Humanitarian Service Medal
• Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon/Rifle
• Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Professional Military Education Ribbon with three devices
• Armed Force Expeditionary Medal (Southern Watch)
• Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
• Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor with six devices
• Air Force Good Conduct Medal with five devices

Another HUGE award Mike received was the Air Force Stripes to Exceptional Performers (STEP) Promotion. The STEP Program was established in 1980 to promote a small number of truly unique individuals whose performance and potential set them far above their peers. Under STEP, commanders of MAJCOMs and field operating agencies and senior officers in organizations with large, enlisted populations may select a limited number of airmen with exceptional potential for promotion to the grades of Staff Sergeant through Master Sergeant. Mike was promoted from Technical Sergeant (TSgt E-6) to Master Sergeant (MSgt E-7), and he was presented new stripes on February 3, 1995.

Mike’s education and certifications include:

• USAF
• Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Academy – 1986
• Senior NCO Academy – 1997
• Metropolitan Community College – Omaha, Nebraska
• AAS/Computer Technology – Networking – 1999
• Bellevue University – Bellevue, Nebraska
• Bachelor of Science in Management of Information Systems – 2009
• Master of Science in Management of Information Systems – 2011
• Epic Certifications – Verona, Wisconsin
• Epic Client Systems Management – Hyperspace 2019
• Epic Client Systems Management – Hyperspace Web 2019

His civilian job titles include:

• Micro Computer Analyst with Alegent Health – March 1999-May, 2003
• Senior Micro Computer Analyst with Alegent Health – May 2003-June 2005
• Infrastructure Engineer with Alegent Health – 2005-2013
• Application Supervisor – Epic Client System Manager (ECSM) with Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) – 2013-2016
• Epic Technical Consultant (self-employed) – 2016-2018
• Information Technology (IT) Technical Manager with Bryan Health, Lincoln, NE – 2018-present
• IT Director at Community Medical Center at Community Medical Center in Falls City, Nebraska – September 2024

In Mike’s downtime, he enjoyed smoking various cuts of meat on his Blazing Grill pellet smoker. As he proclaimed, it was the lazy man’s smoker since he had an app on his phone to check the temperatures. Our favorites were his pulled pork, brisket, and Thanksgiving turkeys. The delicious turkeys will be greatly missed! When he broke out the lump charcoal for the grill, the family knew we were in for some tasty grilled hamburgers, steaks, corn on the cob, and asparagus.

Mike also enjoyed eating with family around the kitchen table, chatting with and teasing the grandkids, and catching up on their lives/jobs/new opportunities/movies or TV shows they had recently seen. The family regularly ate out for lunch on Saturday and Sunday, served by their very special waitress, Ashley, at the Papillion Texas Roadhouse. If you ask for her to be your server, you will NOT be disappointed.

His co-workers spoke highly of him. He had a down-to-earth approach to technical issues, patience when supporting others, and a mentoring and teacher spirit. Mike’s leadership peers appreciated his camaraderie, willingness to assist and lead, whenever and wherever needed. Mike was also known for his ability to calmly develop solutions to issues and projects through a “can do” approach, and his dependability.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, Delbert Sr.; sister, Patricia Dozier; and brother Mark.

Mike is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Laurie Sayles; two sons, Aaron (Kayla) Sayles (Bennington, NE) and Nathan (Sara) Sayles (Bellevue, NE); mother, Vicky Sayles (Central City, NE); sisters, Jean Ann Smith (Omaha, NE), Tracy (Larry) Myers (Central City, NE), Kelly Sayles (Central City, NE); brother, Delbert (Danise) Sayles Jr. (Council Bluffs, IA); two beautiful granddaughters, Elliana Sayles and Sabrina Sayles, and one handsome grandson, Oliver Sayles; aunts, Barbara (Fardis) Sayles and Rose (Doty) Sayles; plus a host of other family and friends, too numerous to mention.

Memorials to Omaha Open Door Mission (opendoormission.org).

VISITATION: Friday, October 18, 2024, 5:00-7:00PM, West Center Chapel, 7805 W. Center Road, Omaha.

MEMORIAL SERVICE with Military Honors, Saturday, October 19th at 11:00AM, West Center Chapel.