I lost a dear friend on Thursday.
He was a father-figure really.
He was my "Uncle Jack."
I lived next door to him until I went away to college.
As a child, I spent countless hours at his house playing with his youngest daughter, Jenny.
I was one of his kids... or at least that's how he made me feel.
He was a really good man.
A giant really.
His example has left a lasting impression on me.
A few of my memories...
Jack used to call me "Lindsey Lou" or say, "Hi Long Legs!"
He liked his milk put in the freezer about 30 minutes before dinner so it would get slushy cold.
He loved Split Pea soup.
He rode the biggest bike. I think the seat would come to the top of my head.
He had a great laugh. One of those gut laughs.
He loved the Gospel.
He lived the Gospel.
He meant business.
He would always reply, "We're only human, we're suppose to make mistakes."
He loved Earthquake cookies. Aunt Marie would hide them in a shoe box from Jenny and me so we wouldn't eat them all.
He liked a quick dip in the hot tub, in the skibbies, each night before bed.
He would always pinch the back side of my upper arm, as his way of hug and hi.
I had the privilege of visiting with him via drive-by or phone frequently the past six months as his final battle took place. I got to tell him that I loved him. I got to tell him how much I appreciated the person he was/is in my life. I got to tell him thank you for being so good to me for so very many years. Words can't express how grateful I am to him. I would be heart-broken if I wouldn't have had the chance to tell him these things... for my sake, not his. He will forever be special to me.
Jack Smith Lake 1936-2010. Jack Smith Lake passed away peacefully, with his family surrounding him, on February 18, 2010. Jack was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 1, 1936, to John B. Lake and Virginia S. Lake, with brothers Michael (Mary Lee) and Scott (Joan). He graduated from South High School in Salt Lake City in 1954, where basketball was a priority. After one year at Utah State University, a second year at the University of Utah, and pledging Sigma Chi, Jack served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the South Australia Mission from 1956 to 1958. Upon returning, Jack studied at the University of Utah, earning a Bachelor's degree and a Masters Degree of Business Administration in 1962. Later, in 2005, the University of Utah honored Jack as a Distinguished Alumnus of the David Eccles School of Business. Jack married Ellen Marie Barlow in the Salt Lake Temple on August 10, 1959. Jack served in the United States Army achieving the rank of Captain before his honorable discharge. Jack and Marie moved to Phoenix, Arizona to raise their five children: Greg (Lisa), Allison (Mike) Gleave, Holly Lake Beus, Sean (Amy), and Jennifer (Dan) Jolly. Jack worked at Western Savings and Loan Association for fifteen years engaged in various aspects of real estate development. Later Jack started his own development company and successfully developed and operated the Arizona Golf Resort, apartment projects, condominiums, restaurants and medical buildings. Jack was actively involved in the Boy Scouts of America. He earned the rank of Eagle as a young man. Later in life, the Boys Scouts of America awarded him the Silver Beaver and the Distinguished Eagle awards. Jack also built the Boy Scout headquarter in Phoenix, Arizona. Jack served in numerous callings in the LDS Church, including High Councils, Bishoprics, Stake Presidencies, and a Temple Sealer. In 1991 Jack served a second mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving as the President of the Canada Calgary Mission until 1994, where he and Marie embraced and served with hundreds of young men and women. Above all, Jack was a man of impeccable character, and completely devoted to Marie, his children and his twenty-two grandchildren. Jack is preceded in death by both of his parents and his grandson Nicholas Gleave. A visitation will be held on Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with Funeral Services, February 22, 2010, at 10:30 AM, both at the LDS CHapel located at 4225 North 56th Street, Phoenix, Arizona. Graveside Services will be held at the Salt Lake City Cemetery (380 N, 1150 E) on Saturday, February 27, 2010, at 11:00 AM. Funeral arrangements are handled by Bunker in Phoenix and Larkin in Salt Lake City. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the LDS Church Missionary Fund.
