Man who inspired South Lake Tahoe act of kindness movement dies of ALS

Just over two months ago, we wrote about how a large group of South Tahoe High alumni were rallying behind one of their classmates, Kevin Sullivan, who was suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

At October's homecoming football game at STHS, many of Kevin's classmates from the class of 1984 and former teammates from the wrestling and football teams came together to honor Kevin and fondly share their memories.

Kevin, who was known by "Sully" to his very large circle of friends, was diagnosed with ALS in July of 2013. He was the second member of that class to get ALS. Todd Fields, who the Babe Ruth baseball field in South Lake Tahoe is named after, died in 1999 at the age of 33.

On January 2, 2016, Sully died at the age of 50 at Barton Hospital.

Over the past few months, Kevin's classmates had been lining up to take him on boating trips, road trips, on the float in the Homecoming parade and just for quiet time and hanging out.

A facebook page created for him, "Friends of Kevin Sullivan," was full of daily comments, photos, recollections of both funny and sad moments. His friends would visit him at Barton and read to him all of the comments made, keeping the familiar smile on his face.

Silvia Jackson, who was not only his classmate but his caregiver when the disease prevented him from living on his own, spent a lot of time with Kevin after he was transferred to skilled nursing. She would get him out of the hospital for shopping and other local trips. Another classmate, Michelle Avila, would go by his room and read to him all of the facebook comments and cards that arrived daily.

It was a group care circle surrounding Kevin through the last few months of his life.

The affable Sullivan had been friends will all groups of people while at STHS, from the athletes to the non-athletes, from the geeks to the not-so-good students.

"He treated everyone the same," said Richard. "I think this whole experience has had such an impact because his classmates remember and respect him for that."

Kevin's illness brought together people who hadn't spoken, or seen, each other for 31 years. Besides classmates, other came to Barton that knew Kevin when he was younger. Even his barber from the 90's heard of his plight and came to the nursing center to give him haircuts.

According to Tye Watson, who was a classmate and spearheaded the Tahoe Strong campaign, a lot of people stopped by to visit Kevin towards the end, as well as getting him out on the lake.

Mike Phillips took Kevin and friends out on the boat and Bill Croshaw Jr. organized the homecoming events. Watson said there were so many that made Kevin's last days special.

Friends have left tributes on his facebook page, including this one from Mark Dedeaux:"This man, my friend Kevin, is at the end of this journey we call life. I have had a heavy heart over the past few days, wishing I could see him and give him a big hug. When I was a freshman in High School Kevin was a Senior. He was a beast football player, popular, and liked by everyone. But the thing that I identified with the most was how passionate he was on the field. Throughout the rest of my football career, I played with the same intensity that I saw from Kevin. I know Kevin is at piece and feeling all the love and support from our Tahoe community. He has brought many of us together, and we have been blessed to witness his courage and grace. God speed Sully."

Former teammate Alonzo Clark credited Kevin for Clark's being able to go to Utah State to play football, and then onto the Dallas Cowboy's training camp: "Today I woke up with a heavy heart thinking about my good friend Kevin Sullivan a.k.a (Sully) I did my morning walk and attended morning service to pray that the good lord opens heavens gates for my childhood buddy. If weren't for Kevin and his incredible blocking skills I wouldn't have had the opportunity to get a full ride in college and the opportunity to experience the NFL . When I left for college Kevin checked on my grandmother every week for over 4 years. Kevin was a great friend but more so of a brother. I am truly Gonna miss u man. Give Mama Hell a hug for me. I will see you when I get there. That's big Kev #65 on the far right. And that's me #26 the skinny black kid in the middle. LOL. RIP."

Clark escorted Kevin onto the STHS football field during the Homecoming ceremonies where Kevin served as an honorary captain.

What has come out of the whole experience is a sense of caring for others, prompting a scholarship fund in both Field's and Sullivan's names and a true spirit of "acts of kindness" and "paying it forward."

Shirts with the words "Tahoe Strong" and "Kindness Spreads" (which happens to have the same initials as Kevin) have been sold to create the scholarship fund.

Sully's brother, Richard Sullivan, is part of the Spreading Kindness Foundation set up in the men's names. "Some great things will come of this," said Richard. They will not only supply scholarships but also assist groups in need of funds. A local group of young hockey players were the first recipients as they head to the international hockey championships in Canada this week.

After graduating from STHS in 1984, Kevin stayed in South Lake Tahoe, marrying at the age of 21. In 1987, while working at the Chevron station which was on the opposite corner of Highway 50 and Ski Run Blvd where it rests now, the athletic Kevin ran across the highway and was struck by a car.

"He never came back quite the same," said brother Richard. "He lost a lot that night." After the accident Kevin was transferred to a hospital in Reno where he was in a coma for over a month. He ended up divorced and was never 100% the same after the accident, though his wide circle of friends in town always made sure he had a job. Kevin had been very athletic prior to that with alpine sports, football, wrestling and mountain biking.

"Kevin was a product of this mountain," said Richard. "He came here at the age of 4 and left at the age of 50."

A memorial service is in the works for Kevin, most likely to be held in the spring when his large circle of friends can come back to South Lake Tahoe and send their friend off in a event fit for the Sully they all knew so well.

He never got that last fast run down the face at Heavenly, so think of Kevin when you hit the slopes this winter.