As Al was reminded this past August 29 (one week before leaving his earthly life), surely his mother, Mary Ann said "a baby boy!" on that birth date in 1947.  And who was to name that baby – Albert Lynn Spake, Jr.? His father, Lynn.  The world greeted a great storyteller.  Al was a curious minded and active child and adult, going to first grade at Camargo, Oklahoma, then second through fifth grade at Wichita, Kansas.  The family returned to Dewey County Oklahoma for his sixth through twelfth grade education at Vici where he graduated in 1965.  He tried one semester of college at Southwestern Oklahoma State then joined the Army reserves upon leaving college.  He was called to active duty during Viet Nam and was stationed in Germany from April of 1972 to October of 1973 before being honorably discharged.  Upon returning to Vici, he set his sights on making money in the oil field.  He worked hard in the field, made friends, and perhaps picked up a negative habit in life—creating havoc for himself (and his Mom).  A few years into that, Al not only found God, but also total sobriety for the rest of his life. In his late 20's, he was baptized and became a member of the Vici First Christian Church. In later 1970's, Al bought twelve acres and established his "forever home" and lived there 41 years.  He was a life skilled farm and ranch hand and undertook short term and long term projects ranging from harvest crew work to fence building to general management of properties around Dewey County.  He worked alongside Rhea Jones, the Cole's, J.H. Jones, Dennis Vaughan and the Everett Hutchens family to specify a few.  He often told his sister about loving this or that about his work, and was especially enamored with the Hutchens farm and Old Bill, the bison on the farm.  Family photos taken at that great outdoor setting reflect the pleasant atmosphere Al enjoyed.  In Al's time of recreation, he enjoyed learning—using the paper maps and a road atlas for places he desired to know about and visit.  In his youth he learned hunting and fishing with his dad and fishing also with Grandma Agnes.  In his adult years, he abandoned hunting but continued fishing occasionally or just enjoying being at the lake, usually Canton.  He loved playing the card game 'pitch' with his parents and sister when they were all together.  The family took annual holiday trips to various locations, sometimes near a major casino, and would always include playing cards at the end of the day's adventures.  Al traveled on his own to different states and to Mexico with his friend Wally Allen.  He loved his vehicles and usually had a name for them. "Old Blue" lasted MANY miles, thanks to Al's mechanical skills.  He drove a little red truck many miles prior to getting "Lucy", a red car he bought in 2015, so named for Lucille Ball (I Love Lucy) – He was attracted to red heads!!  Al loved music. He watched PBS programs featuring Roy Orbison and Doo Whop.  Gene Watson and Merle Haggard were favorites, along with several rock'n roll bands.  He enjoyed dancing and was good at it.   He was a fan of OU sports, crossword puzzles, collecting mason jars and elephants for good luck and other vintage items. He loved cherry pie and ate fried pies every morning before starting his day.  He was excited to be in the casinos that came to the surrounding areas where he enjoyed the meals and playing Royal Reels.  Al loved wearing overalls, khakis and plaid shirts.  He had a few phrases he used often "cheese 'n crackers" being one and "anyway, any how "being another. He bought himself a true Stetson hat in 2016 for special occasions but wore a baseball cap for work or leisure time. Al was kind to children, his loved ones and his parents, especially his mother, giving her the yearly Valentine and Christmas teddy bears with 'I Love You' as their message.  He had a strong bond with his sister, Judy.  As a cousin related recently," he was a good guy"—His sister, Judy says "yes and he definitely had a lot of courage."  In November of 2019, Al met a strange fate at his rural home—left outside in freezing weather for an unknown number of days, he suffered severe hypothermia. He was airlifted to Oklahoma City, spent eleven days in ICU, forty-five days in hospitals and five weeks in Jim Thorpe Rehab.  The brain injury created motor skill issues.  He re-learned to walk with assistance and how to talk.  He was wheelchair bound the remaining five plus years of living. During his post rehab months, he especially enjoyed and participated in many ride alongs with caregiver Rob Reed to scout out estate sales, storage units or to get a cheeseburger.  He endured missing the outdoors, his love of sitting under the trees at his rural home, sitting outside B-Mart or Dollar General shooting the breeze with others and having freedom and independence.  He enjoyed sitting on the front porch at his home in town, singing phrases of songs, watching the game show network and Storage Wars.  Al was pleased to receive attention, including the many cards and remembrances from his Aunt Mary and other folks the past five years.

Anyway, anyhow, helpful, humble, Al Spake had courage, was kind and generous.  He had a firm handshake and a great smile, only a few of his handsome attributes of being a great man.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Mary Ann and Lynn Spake, grandparents; Rosa and Ralph Taylor, Cordy and Octie Spake and Agnes Humberd, and special aunts, uncles and cousins. Al is survived by his beloved sister and care giver, Judy Turner of Houston, TX., his aunt Mary Willis of Wellston, OK., several special cousins and numerous friends.

Memorial donations may be made to the Vici-Camargo Ambulance Service
c/o Shaw Funeral Home
PO Box 276
Vici, OK 73859