Dennis Allen Lyke died Aug. 4, 2009, in Hailey, Idaho. He was 37. Dennis is survived by his wife, Megan Lyke, and two daughters, Ellie, age 6, and Lauren, age 3.
Dennis was born in Boise, Idaho, on Sept. 7, 1971, to Doug and Ginger (Kaufman) Lyke. He was an honors and AP student at South Junior High and Borah High School in Boise. He also spent time as a ski instructor during this time and was very passionate about it. He especially loved to work with disabled children.
After attending the University of Idaho, Dennis operated Capers Restaurant in Boise and later went to work for Lyke's Insulation in Hailey. Shortly after moving to Hailey, Dennis married Megan McConaghy in her hometown of Tacoma, Wash.
To know Dennis was to love him, and he will always be remembered for his unforgettable laugh, sense of humor and innate ability to find something good in everyone or every situation. Many friends still remember Dennis' donning his "Brain of the Aardvark" T-shirt, half-mocking his membership in the gifted math club at Borah.
Dennis' passion for the outdoors and wildlife, as well as his skill with a fishing rod, earned him the nick-name Curt Gowdy at a young age. However, there is no nick-name that could sum up Dennis—he was truly one of a kind. He also loved to golf.
Dennis was most happy fly fishing the South Fork of the Boise River during stonefly hatches ("Fish On," he would shout with joy), at elk camp (in particular on Turkey Ridge, as he named a favorite ridge) or fishing with Megan and Ellie on the Big Wood. He loved his family's place in McCall and was content to pick huckleberries for hours. With his girls, Dennis greatly enjoyed spending all day on the beaches of Florida collecting shark teeth and shells. And if there was ever a chance to be in Baja, he was there and wasted little time wagering on who could catch the most tuna. It was his mission.
His lifelong circle of friends is something that both he and Megan treasured dearly. They are very much a part of their family. Dennis was so happy to have a band of brothers to turn to.
Dennis was a caring and loving husband, father and friend. In addition to Megan and his daughters, Dennis is survived by his mother, Ginger Kaufman; father, Doug Lyke; stepmother, Jan Lyke; brother, Jim Lyke; and stepsister Jhescie Morrison, as well as several nieces and nephews.
A memorial and celebration of Dennis' life will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Calvary Bible Church (104 Coyote Bluff Drive in Hailey). In lieu of flowers, friends of the family established a fund to honor his daughters, Ellie and Lauren, at the D.L. Evans Bank in Hailey. Contributions can be sent to 12 E. Bullion St., Suite A, Hailey, ID 83333 or contact Kelly Young at (208) 788-2130.
Cremation was under the direction of Wood River Chapel in Hailey. A guest book is available online at www.woodriverchapel.com
