George Edward (Ned) Dake Jr. passed away Tuesday, December 11, 2018 in Whitehall, Mi.  He lived the last couple of years at White Lake Assisted Living and enjoyed the staff and other residents.   Ned, as he was always known by his friends, was born in Muskegon on July 20, 1920, to George Edward and Mignon Dake.

Ned attended Muskegon Schools and graduated from Muskegon High School in 1938.  He attended Michigan Technological University in Houghton before being drafted into the Army in 1943, where he served in the map corps in Europe and was promoted to 1 ^st Sargent with several medals including being recommended for the Bronze Star by his superiors.

On October 9, 1943 he married Patricia Walker.  Together they enjoyed 52 years of marriage until her death in 1996.

Ned was an 83 year member of the Boy Scouts of America obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout and he was awarded the "Silver Beaver" medal, one of scouting's highest national awards.  He was a Past Commodore of the White Lake Yacht Club and served on its Board of Directors for 47 years.  Ned was also a long standing member of the Muskegon Kiwanis Club and Whitehall Rotary.

Ned worked for FitzJohn Coach Co. in Muskegon after World War II and then owned his own construction company in Parkersburg, W. Va, for 4 years.  He was plant manager for Anaconda Wire and Cable in Muskegon and then left Anaconda to become the Director of Buildings & Structures for GTE Michigan.

An avid sailor, Ned sailed in several Chicago to Mackinaw races where he skippered the schooner Volante and won 1 ^st place in 1949.  He had a 1938 Palmer "E" scow, "Lively Lady" which he raced with his family as crew, during the 1960's on White Lake.

He and Pat sailed the Great Lakes on  their Allied Seawind "Four Winds" every summer for 20  years with friends and family.   When they were not sailing they loved to travel in their GMC motor home, which included a trip to Alaska and many other places in the US.

Ned and Pat then traveled in their Grand Banks Trawler "Patricia" after they sold the "Four Winds".  One of their trips was the Great Circle Route, down the Mississippi and other waterways to the Gulf of Mexico, around Florida and up the east coast through the Erie Canal back to Whitehall.

Ned's family wishes to express a heartfelt thank you to the many people that touched Ned's life over the years and especially to Bob and Jean Mary Duplisses who were life long friends to Ned and Pat and took time to look out for Ned after Pat passed away.  Also to friends, Marcia and Jerry Brichan who kept and eye on Ned, their next door neighbor for over 20 years.  Jerry and Ned often had a "NIP" together around 5:00 pm.

Ned is survived by: his sons, Allan (Anne), Steven (Kim); grandson, Christopher; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He outlived all his siblings, John, Jim, Ben, Marguarite and Mignon.

There will be no memorial service at this time, but the family is planning a party to celebrate Ned's life in June 2019.  Of course Butter Pecan Ice cream and apple pie will be served as those were two of his favorites.  Private burial services were at Oakhurst Cemetery in Whitehall.

In memory of Ned, please consider a gift in his name to the Boy Scouts of America Timber Trails Council 3213 Walker Ave. Grand Rapids 49544,  White Lake Yacht Club P.O. Box 1 Whitehall, or the White Lake Community Fund 425 W. Western Ave Suite 200 Muskegon.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, White Lake Chapel, is in charge of the arrangements. Please share a thought or memory with Ned's family at www.beaconfh.com