Trevor J. Lakes(54), voice of reason to many, was born on July 4, 1967 to Dorothy P. Lakes-Nieman(Topf) and Odell Lakes in Sioux City, Iowa.

Although a firecracker baby, he was as even tempered as they came. Middle child through and through, he mediated many fights between brothers Marty, Sean, Michael and Monte. A godsend in many ways to his mom who was often away at work, there may have been a few more broken coffee tables and broom archery if not for Trev.

For the brothers, boxing became an outlet for all that little boy energy. Step dad, Chet Nieman coached them through sparring and matches as they grew. Little did they know they had a Golden Gloves Boxer on their hands. But don’t worry, this dudes dude wouldn’t let you forget it in his later days.

Trevor continued his boxing career into adulthood where he won numerous bouts and titles, going all the way to the Olympic Trials in 1988. If anyone was ever determined to accomplish big things in life, Trev was that guy. Goal setter and achiever in so many ways.

But what’s an achievement without having someone to share it with? Someone must have been looking out for Trevor because they sent the most driven, full of life partner he could have ever asked for in his wife, Kim (Davis) Lakes.

Trevor and Kim began dating in high school at Sgt. Bluff-Luton. They were your picture perfect prom king and queen. The pair graduated and began college at Wayne State, Trevor to finish his Bachelors at the University of Nebraska Lincoln where he began his love of the Huskers. Poor guy (obviously written by a Hawkeye).

Life for Trevor and Kim really began in those early years. They were married April 4. 1987 and welcomed their daughter, Ashton Bree later that year. As if life for newlyweds and college kids wasn’t hectic enough with one kiddo, Brady J. entered the party in 1990. Life for them wasn’t to stay in Lincoln though and they made their way back to Sioux City.

Like most marriages, there were ups and downs, moves, job changes and goal changes. But the driving force behind everything the couple wanted to achieve was their desire to do better and be better day in and day out for themselves, their kids and grandchildren. Together, Trevor and Kim built a life most can only dream about.

Between chasing kids, vacationing and working long hours on the BNSF Railroad, Trevor managed to find the time to become his family’s resident handy man. With the help of his brothers and father in law, Frank Wood, he learned to take on tasks to be there for the ones he loved.

Trevor’s ability to give to others was immeasurable. Whether it was handy manning, being a sounding board, a shoulder or giving advice, the man never shut off. You may not have liked what he said but it was always honest and from the heart. And man did he have a big one of those.

If you knew Trev in his younger years, you may not have guessed the softy his grandchildren turned him into. Papa Trev adored his littles, Tianna Robinson(14), Breckyn Robinson(11), Gray Lakes(7), Lennox Robinson(5), Emery Lakes(4) and Jaxon Lakes(1). If you needed proof, just look at Kim’s Facebook. Summer pool days with his kids meant the world to him and she was a master at documenting every second. Something we will cherish forever.

Trevor’s later days were cut way too short but the amazing man he was will never be forgotten. We can take solace in him looking down on us seeing the impact he had on so many and the love we shared for him. The best man we ever knew.

Trevor is preceded in death by brother Monte Nieman, father in law, Frank Wood, grandparents Mae and Cash Lakes, Ernie and Catherine Topf.