The Star
Ventura County, CA
Friday, July 20, 2007

Oxnard
Ralph J. Lake Jr.

Ralph Lake Jr., 32, renowned musician, died.  Born and raised in Oxnard,
Ralph Lake lived life to its fullest.  On Tuesday, July 17, 2007, he
passed away peacefully in his sleep due to a congenital heart condition.

His dedication and passion for friends, family and his art were truly
extraordinary.  His belief in his talents inspired others to believe
in their own.  Ralph achieved excellence in all that he did as a son,
a brother, an uncle, a friend and a bass man.  Those who were lucky
enough to have experienced being around Ralph know that he was truly
a unique and loving man, mysterious and kind, talented and unassuming.
Ralph loved Southern California.  He loved the salty air and the salty
sea, the same salty sea that now flows in our tears.

Ralph first started playing the bass guitar while attending Buena High
School, where he celebrated his graduation in 1993 and continued studying
music while attending Ventura College.  His band, "Strange Behavior,"
recently completed the recording of their first CD.  When not working as
a musician, Ralph worked behind the scenes in the television and movie
business in Los Angeles.  In his spare time, Ralph loved to be with his
family, especially with his niece and nephew.  He was the most giving
and caring uncle they could have ever had.  He also loved to restore and
cruise his Cadillac.  Ralph could often be found somewhere between Silver
Strand Beach and Solimar Beach driving slowly and taking in the scene.

Ralph is survived by his mother, Linda Lake; father, Ralph Lake Sr.;
sister, Heather Lake; nephew, Taylor Kennedy; and niece Jordan Shelton.

He has met his younger sister, Holly Lake, in heaven as she was murdered
nearly two years ago.  May they rest peacefully together forever.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 26, at St. John's
Lutheran Church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the James
A. Reardon-Payton Mortuary, 511 North A St., Oxnard; phone 805-483-2233
Please sign the guest book at obits.VenturaCountyStar.com