Gaylord Benjamin Dake

Gaylord Dake, 92, Mountain Grove, MO passed away Saturday, July 29, 2017 at his home in Mountain Grove surrounded by his family.

Gaylord was born in Mountain Grove, MO on April 24, 1925, to Benjamin Hubbard Dake and Dorothy Elizabeth Dake (Lupton). He graduated from Mountain Grove High School in 1943 and shortly thereafter, on July 31, became a U.S. Marine. He served in the Marines for 10 years and the Air Force for 17. He was stationed at various locations in the Pacific during WWII, was involved in 5 distinct battles in Korea, and served 2 tours as an advisor in Vietnam.

He proposed to Emily Mae Phipps at the base of the Washington Monument in D. C. while parked in his 1948 Frazer. They were married on April 20, 1952 at the Methodist Church in Mountain Grove, and remained happily married for the next 64 and one half years until Emily passed away in 2016.

Gaylord was extremely outgoing, he always had time for a chat, whether it was at a local restaurant, a social event, a weekly shopping trip, or a casual encounter. He and Emily moved back to Mountain Grove in 1989 and built a house on the same property he grew up on. He thoroughly enjoyed feeding and watching the deer and turkey from behind their large picture windows as well as gardening and listening to blue grass and country music.

He is survived by his daughter, Patricia L. Galmiche (Dake) of Fordland, MO, his son, Wayne G. Dake of Mountain Grove, MO, two granddaughters, Danielle M. Johns (Galmiche) and Tiffany L. Galmiche-Burros both of Fordland, MO, a grandson, Benjamin W. Dake of Upland, CA, three great-granddaughters, Ashely L. Johns, Miranda M. Johns, and Baylee K. Burros, all of Fordland, MO, two sisters, Geraldine Fuller (Dake) of Rolla, MO and Sharron Dake of Blue Springs, MO; and one brother, Jim Dake, of Kansas City, KS, and many nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss him very much.