John Herbert Lake

1927 - 2016

John Herbert Lake

October 13, 1927 - November 6, 2016

John Herbert ("Jack") Lake, 89, died Sunday, November 6, 2016 at his home in Palm Springs, California.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Geraldine Rohner. He leaves six children; John Steven (Lucy), Jacque Suzanne (Brent Lee), Craig Duane (Ruth), Robert Michael (Madelyn), Jody Ann (John Jeppsen), and Richard MacDonald (Tracy); 27 grandchildren, and 35 great-grandchildren.

John was born October 13, 1927 at his home in El Segundo, California to George Lyman and Elisa Magdalen Westover Lake.

His early years were spent running and playing on the hills and beaches of El Segundo. He learned to work hard at his family owned and operated restaurant named "Café Supreme."

John served in the Navy during World War II aboard the Tulagi Bay. After an honorable discharge, he traveled by boat to New Zealand, where he served a three-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He returned to America and attended and ran track for Brigham Young University, during which time he married Geraldine Rohner. Together they went off to USC for dental school.

John brought his young family to Palm Springs in 1958 and started a dental practice, where he worked until he was 78 years old. He was very well known within the dental community for his skill as a technician and for his service to organized dentistry. He was one of the founding directors of The Dentist Company, and served as the chairman of The Dentist Insurance Company.

John was a pillar of the community in Palm Springs, working with many charities in the area to benefit others.

He was a leader in the LDS Church, serving in many different leadership capacities his entire adult life.

He was very involved with the Desert Healthcare Foundation, helping raise money to restore the El Mirador Tower.

John's specialty was in running golf tournaments to raise funds for different charities and organizations. He especially enjoyed working with the Sinatra Foundation golf tournament.

As a pistachio farmer for the last 40 years, he was also a pioneer in the California pistachio industry. He played a major role in the development of the American Pistachio Growers Association and the Pistachio PAC. He loved his pistachio farm. It brought him close to the earth and allowed him to enjoy his love for flying.

He was an avid golfer who at one time or another was a member of the O'Donnell Golf Club, Canyon Country Club, El Dorado Country Club, Quail Lake CC, The Vintage Club, Bermuda Dunes, and The Quarry. John was the consummate competitor in everything he did. Whether on the golf course, at the table playing gin rummy, or at the Palm Springs Club playing dominoes with his local friends.

John Lake was a man that can only be described as larger than life. He was that to his wife, family, friends, and associates.

John was a family man before all; He cherished his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and they loved him with all their hearts.

A visitation will be held at Wiefels in Palm Springs (690 S Vella Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92264) on Friday, November 11, 2016 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1400 N Avenida Caballeros, Palm Springs, CA 92262) on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. All are welcome to attend both the visitation and funeral services. Please contact Wiefels Funeral Home with any additional questions about services at 760-327-1257.