David Michael Dake

Mike Dake, 62, of Glazier and the IV Ranch, stepped into his heavenly home on July 5, 2023.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Mike’s life will be at 11:00 am, Wednesday, July12, 2023 at the River Ministries Church with Donald Hill, Pastor, officiating.  Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Canadian.

David Michael Dake was born May 3, 1961, in Canadian to Virgil and Jeanne Dake.  He attended Canadian schools and graduated with the Canadian High School Class of 1981.  Growing up in Glazier with his siblings and the other “Glazier kids” was full of memories and mischief making.  Mike was a long-time employee of Lewis and Elva Humphries of the IV Ranch.  They were very fond of him and treated him like family, arranging for him to be able to live on the IV ranch for the remainder of his life. 

For many years Mike served Canadian on various boards and committees.  He was involved with the River Valley Pioneer Museum for quite some time.  Mike loved to dance and was instrumental in the funding and building of the Jones Pavilion.  It was a dream of his for Canadian to have an open-air facility for public and private dances, and he did not stop until that was accomplished.  Mike had a soft spot for the elderly community.  For several years he enjoyed volunteering to be Bud Brainard’s personal chauffeur.

Mike had a keen interest in history, anthropology and collecting artifacts.  He enjoyed reading a variety of history books.  Some of his collected artifacts have found their home in the Panhandle Plains Museum in Canyon. 

Friends will always remember Mike as a comedian and the “Life of the Party”.  He loved to have fun and seeing his friends have fun as well.  Whether he was driving through the pasture singing at the top of his lungs or dancing with friends, he did so smiling ear to ear, with gusto.

Those preceding Mike in death were his parents, Jeannie Dake Sutton and Virgil Dake; Grandparents, Stella and Glen Dake, Rose and Pete Wafford; 2 Uncles, Ron and Larry Wafford; a nephew, Ricky Dake and a great nephew, Rayce Posey.

Mike loved Bernese Mountain Dogs. The first one he owned, Bernie, instantly became his best friend.  He is survived by his current Bernese Mountain dog, Newt, and his cat, Mader.

Those left to share Mike’s memory are three siblings, Elaine Hand and husband Jim, Russell Dake, Danny Dake; 6 nieces and nephews, Delisa Pshigoda, Alysia Posey and husband PJ, Mikaela Smith and husband Tad, Dannielle Shaw, Andrew Fisher and Jared Dake; 14 great nieces and nephews; Aunt, Kahra Whisler, Uncle, Cork Wafford and close friends Tim Dickinson, Ty Dickinson, The Webb Family, Amy Brainard and a host of special friends and family.

Memorials may be made to: The Glazier Cemetery Sign Fund, % Hemphill County Treasurer, 400 Main Street, Canadian, TX 79014