Ralph Wayne Lake Sr, age 89, passed away peacefully surrounded by his children on Sunday, July 14, 2019. He was born on April 16, 1930 in Onaway, Michigan. In 1947, he joined the United States Army. During his service, he was assigned to the 1st Cav Division out of Fort Hood, Texas where he earned the Occupation Medal of Japan. He was discharged in 1950 with an honorable discharge.
After his service in the United States Army, our father mainly worked in the transportation industry. He has worked for Chrysler, Department of Street Cars for the City of Detroit, John F. Ivory Moving Company, Long Transportation, Interstate Trucking, and Holland Trucking. Our father was a diesel mechanic by trade. He helped keep many 18 wheelers on the road. Our father loved cars, country music (he always said today’s country is not true country music, it does not tell a story like the days of old), dogs, gardening, car cruises, and Texas Roadhouse (he loved the steak/rib combo with a sweet potato and salad). He also served 40 years as a leader in various positions in the Boy Scouts.
On September 22, 1962, he married the love of his life Patricia J. (Christman) Lake. They enjoyed 23 years together until her death in 1985. Together, they raised five children. He has lived in Detroit for the past 57 years and was very proud of having the same telephone number during that time span.
He is survived by his son Henry (Marianne) Batz of Sterling Heights, MI; daughter Michelle (Ed) Funaro of Guilford, CT; son Ralph (Barbara) W. Lake Jr. of Mount Clemens, MI; and daughter Teresa (Keith) Kallas of Clinton Township, MI. He has 11 grandchildren and 9 Great grandchildren with 1 more on the way.
He is predeceased in death by his lovely wife Patricia and his son Douglass W. Lake.
Visitation services will be held on Wednesday, July 17th at 2 pm – 8 pm at Kaul Funeral Home located at 35201 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, MI. There will be visitation for immediate family only from 1 pm- 2 pm.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, July 18th at 10:00 am at Kaul Funeral Home. Burial will follow with full military honors at White Chapel Cemetery located at 621 West Long Lake Road in Troy, MI 48098.
The family ask that in lieu of flowers, please make donations to our father’s favorite charities. These are The Leader Dogs for the Blind, the American Legion (or other military organization), or Boy Scouts of America.
Our father had honesty, character, integrity, faith, love, and loyalty.
