Clarence "Sonny" Dake Jr.

1927 - 2018

Clarence "Sonny" Dake Jr.

Salinas - Clarence "Sonny" Dake Jr. 90 of Salinas. He passed away peacefully with his family at his side after a long battle with multiple health issues on Monday, March 19, 2018. Sonny was born December 15, 1927 in Santa Cruz, California and spent his entire life on the Central Coast of California.

Sonny grew up on a ranch in the Santa Cruz Mountains on Mountain Charlie Road. As a youngster, he spent time between Santa Cruz and Salinas where he graduated from Salinas High School in 1946. He then went on to San Jose State for two years before graduating from the University of California at Berkeley in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry. He then went on to serve as a draftee in the United States Marine Corps where he was on active duty from 1952 until 1954, and then on reserve status until 1960. Sonny joined the Monterey County Public Works Department in 1955 and worked in the Road Department as an assistant civil engineer for 31 years retiring in 1986.

Sonny was an outstanding carpenter and built two homes on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe. He was also an avid hunter and traveled the western states in search of deer and elk. He also liked to backpack with his family and grandchildren in the Lake Tahoe and Yosemite areas. He was also an avid hiker and skier. He had belonged to the Salinas Jaycees and Camber Ski Club and he was also an alumnus and big fan of U.C. Berkeley (Cal) sports. One of the highlights for Sonny after retirement was meeting old friends and colleagues for coffee and donuts every Wednesday in Salinas.

He is survived by his, Wife, Gloria Tiscornia Dake of 61 years. Daughters: Brenda Cranford and Frances Dake. Son: Steven Dake. Grandchildren: Chad Cranford, Jared Cranford and Amy Cranford. Great Grandchildren: Cora, Emma and Gracyn Cranford.

In the words of Sonny's daughter, Brenda, "In the race for life, Clarence was on the podium. He was an accomplished fisherman, hunter, hiker, photographer, and carpenter. He was also a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He was a man of few words but when he spoke people would listen."

The family would like to thank all those that cared for Sonny and provided help during the last year of his life including the local V.A. Clinic, Dr. Hausdorf and the staff and nurses of the Hospice of the Monterey Peninsula. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Interim Inc. at this address: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/interiminc

A Commemorative service has been scheduled for Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Struve and Laporte Funeral Chapel at 41 West San Luis Street, Salinas, CA 93901.

Funeral Arrangements by Struve and Laporte Funeral Home.

Online condolences to www.struveandlaporte.com