Earl Arthur "Sonny" Plake

Earl Arthur “Sonny” Plake, 92, passed away Tuesday, March 24, 2026.  

The family will receive friends between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Saturday, March 28, 2026 at Owens & Brumley Funeral Home in Burkburnett.  Graveside service will follow at Burkburnett Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Owens & Brumley Funeral Home in Burkburnett.

Sonny was born in Tipton, Indiana to Arthur “Ditty” and Ruby (Burris) Plake on October 28, 1933.  His grandparents were Bill and Mary (Sallee) Plake and Clyde and Dora Ellen (Price) Burris.  He attended schools in Tipton, completing high school while serving in the United States Navy.  Sonny graduated from Wayland Baptist College while serving in the United States Air Force at Sheppard A.F. Base in Texas.  He also served in the Indiana National Guard in Tipton; the U.S. Navy for 4 years, and retired while in the U.S. Air Force with 22 years total.  

In September 1955, Earl and Cyrilyn Kay “Lynn” Welcher married at a church near Patuxent River Naval Station in Maryland.  In a few months, his tour was over and the couple moved back to Anderson, Indiana, and were both employed by National Tile.  Their first child, Janel Elaine, was born in October 1956.  In June of 1957, Earl enlisted in the United States Air Force.  He was sent to Texas for basic training and instruction.  He and his family were blessed to live in several different states, including two more trips to Sheppard A.F. Base, and 15 months at Goose Bay, Labrador.

During the next few years, they were in Nebraska and Texas.  They were also blessed with two more children, Jeffrey Earl and Joel Eric Plake.  When SAC moved from Sheppard, Sonny and his family were transferred to Eielson A.F. Base near Fairbanks, Alaska.  It was a great adventure for all the family.  Sonny retired from military life in 1973.  The family was excited to be moving back to the Wichita Falls area.  They found a home in Burkburnett, and Sonny began his 35-year career with ENJJPT Program at Sheppard, retiring in 2009.  After retirement, Sonny began a career as a Hydraulic Specialist at Sheppard A.F. Base, and also drove a church bus to pick up children for the Burkburnett Church of Christ services.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents; his brothers, Charles, Jack, and Terry Plake; his sisters, Sherry and Arletta; his brothers-in-law, Earl Wylie, Captain William Osborn, Major James Osborn, Bill Morrison, and Paul Baxter; his nieces, Danette Plake, and Tracie Plake; his nephews, Barry Plake, Bill Osborn, and Joe Osborn; and many cherished aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He is survived by his loving wife, Cyrilyn “Lynn” Plake; his children, Janel and Don Coker, Jeff and Elaine Plake, and Joel and Heather Plake; his grandchildren, Ben and Donette Coker, Grady Don Coker, Holly Plake, Becca and Colt Churchwell, Anthon and Bailey Plake, and Crystalyn and Nick Alamilla; his great-grandchildren, Zeke and Eli Coker, Emma Coker, Elaine Anna and Esther Arwen Alamilla.  He also leaves behind his sisters, Jeanne Wiley, Vickie Dickey and husband Fred and family; sisters-in-law, Carol Plake and Cassandra Plake; and several dear cousins, nieces and nephews.

Sonny was a member of 10th & Broad Church of Christ in Wichita Falls.  For those desiring, the family requests memorials be made in honor of Sonny to the Missions Programs at 10th & Broad COC, 1319 10th St. Wichita Falls, TX 76301; Hospice of Wichita Falls, 4400 Cypress Ave. Wichita Falls, TX 76310; or to any Veterans group of your choice.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.owensandbrumley.com