The 55-year-old father of three died early Saturday of an apparent heart attack. Just hours before, he watched his beloved Bluebirds beat Franklin County in a state playoff football game and then celebrated with his wife and friends.

He leaves his wife, Mary "Missy" Melinda; and three daughters, Elizabeth, who turned 20 on Saturday, Pamela, 16, and Victoria, 14.

"He was a wonderful man, husband and father," his wife said Saturday. "He just loved being around the girls, watching their games and spending time with them. It was what he loved the most about life - his family."

Elizabeth Poindexter is a starting sophomore soccer player at Lexington's Transylvania University and a 2003 graduate of Highlands, where she was one of Northern Kentucky's top defensive players.

Pamela had played basketball and soccer and is a cheerleader at Highlands. Victoria plays basketball and soccer.

Mr. Poindexter rarely missed any of their games or activities and was a volunteer with the Highlands Booster Club, where he worked the souvenir booth.

But Mr. Poindexter's commitment to his daughters extended far beyond the playing field. Because his wife traveled as an international flight attendant, household chores often fell to him. He washed the girls' clothes, cooked their meals and, at times, even helped braid their hair.

Mr. Poindexter wanted to give his girls the kind of upbringing he did not have, his wife said. Mr. Poindexter was an only child and his father left when he was just a boy.

"Steve's mother did a good job, but Steve didn't really have a father," Missy said. "So he worked hard at being a good father to the girls."

So often he was seen driving through town in his white van, shuttling his daughters from one game or activity after another.

He was also a good and loyal friend who loved socializing around Fort Thomas.

"I was privileged and fortunate to know Steve Poindexter as a friend, as a very dedicated husband and especially as a loving and dedicated father," said Rick Houliston, a neighbor and close friend. "He loved Fort Thomas, he loved being a part of the community and a part of Highlands."

Mr. Poindexter grew up in Anderson County near Frankfort. He graduated from the University of Kentucky and did postgraduate work at the University of Cincinnati. An insurance salesman for Aflac, Mr. Poindexter had previously worked in finance and administration for health care companies in Cincinnati and was also a respiratory therapist. He had served in the National Guard.

Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at A.C. Dobbling Funeral Home, Fort Thomas, and in Frankfort from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Harrod Brothers Funeral Home. No public service planned.