Published in Kalamazoo Gazette on May 8, 2016
Kalamazoo MI


Lake, John E.
8/13/1931 - 4/23/2016
Largo, Florida (formerly of Kalamazoo, MI)
John passed away peacefully at his home in Largo, Fl on Saturday April 23,
2016 at the age of 84 after a short battle with cancer. John was born on
August 13th, 1931 in Portland, Indiana son of the late Russell W. and Hazel
Pearl (Denniston) Lake. The family moved to Kalamazoo in 1941 when Russell
accepted a position with Atlas Press Co. John graduated from Kalamazoo Central
in 1949 and attended Western Michigan University. On August 12th, 1950, he
was united in marriage to Maxine (Maury) Lake of Comstock, their vows took
place at the Third Reformed Church of Kalamazoo. John and Maxine were blessed
with four children, Susan, Kathy, Karen and Ken. John had many interests in
life, and had the ability to fix anything. Throughout his lifetime he enjoyed
restoring classic Mustangs and racing motorcycles, including participating in
Jack Pine Motorcycle Endurance Races. To make the race even more difficult,
John raced his Harley with a sidecar attached which he accurately named
"Stump Jumper". John worked for many years at the Checker Cab Company as
a test driver of the newly developed 1956 boxy design that was destined
to become iconic and long-lasting. He owned and operated Lake Auto Body on
Kings Highway in Comstock in the 1960's and became bus supervisor for both
the Comstock and Kalamazoo Public Schools prior to accepting a position at
Great Lakes Coach Bus Company in Portage. He was married to Dixie Lee Koetje
in 1970, and they lived in the Delton and Kalamazoo area for many years. He
and Dixie spent countless summers enjoying their sailboat "The Chasseur" in
Saugatuck, MI, and for many years they also operated the store on the Oval
Beach side of Saugatuck's Famous Chain Ferry. In 1981 John & Dixie moved to
Houston, TX where he worked for the American Rice Company, and later moved
to Bryan, TX where he designed, developed, and launched the transportation
bus services at Texas A&M University. In 1987, they settled in Largo, FL,
where he worked for USAA in Tampa and finally retired from Bankers Life in St
Petersburg. Retiring, John could be found rebuilding his classic Mustangs,
motoring around the crystal clear waters of Homosassa Springs in his boat,
feeding his grandsons steak dinners, and spending time with his beloved
Chihuahua "Tut". John was an active member of both the Elks and Moose Lodges
in Largo and Kalamazoo. John was preceded in death by his parents, one
brother, Warren (Pick) Lake of Portland, IN, and one daughter Kathy (Lake)
Gibbs of Kalamazoo and Dixie's son Ron Koetje, of Largo, FL. He is survived
by his wife Dixie, Largo, FL, his sister Bonnie (Lake) Abbott of Portland,
IN, and brother, Robert Lake of Boiling Springs, SC. Son, Kenneth (Janet)
of Kalamazoo and daughters Susan Lake and Karen (Kevin) Murphy, both of
Gulf Breeze, FL, his son in law Doug Gibbs of Kalamazoo, Pam Oney of Largo,
FL, Debra (Bob) Pacic of Kalamazoo, and Scott (Jeanette) Koetje of Hernando
Beach, FL. John is also survived by his grandchildren LT Sam (Amanda) Murphy
of Monterey, CA, LT Scott Murphy of Virginia Beach, VA, Patty, Katie, and
Chrissy Gibbs, Cameren Lake and Ally Newcomb all of Kalamazoo. Mitzi (Brad)
Wooten of Solomon, KS, Emily (Robbie) Coon of East Lansing, MI, Rick and
Jay Yaeger, Tennessee, and Dalyn and Hannah Koetje of Hernando Beach. John
truly loved and cared for everyone around him. He was an inspiring husband,
father and grandfather. Because of him; our family has a sense of honor,
pride and family belonging. Per John's request, no services were held and
cremation has taken place.

National Cremation Society, Clearwater, FL

Funeral Home
National Cremation
4945 East Bay Drive
Clearwater, FL 33764 
(727) 536-0494 Funeral Home Details