Published: March 29, 2008 11:29 pm            

Christopher Michael Hake

Christopher Michael Hake was born Aug. 17, 1981, to Peter M. Hake and Denice Y. Hake in Abilene, Texas. Chris went to Heaven to be with his Lord on Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008, in Baghdad, Iraq when he gave the “ultimate sacrifice” by laying down his life for his country in efforts to provide peace and freedom to all.

Chris lived in Erick until age 2, when he moved to Enid with his father and two sisters, Shannon and Keri. While in Enid, the family expanded to include his stepmother, Jill, and two younger brothers, Zac and Skylar.

Chris received his early education at Chisholm Elementary School where he enjoyed several close friendships and played football, basketball and soccer. After elementary school, Chris attended junior high and high school at Oklahoma Bible Academy. As Chris would reflect on his school years, he always mentioned the love he had for Oklahoma Bible Academy, his friends and the faculty. Throughout high school, Chris developed varied interests. He loved soccer, boating, skiing, music and having fun with family and friends, with whom he held a very close bond. Chris was always a very hard worker and during his high school years he held various jobs such as at Jumbo Foods and a local lawn care service.

Chris developed his spiritual life throughout his school years at OBA and through his youth group at Grace World Outreach Center. Chris traveled to Mexico on a mission trip with the youth.

Upon graduation from OBA in May 2000, Chris joined the Army. He was stationed at Ft. Benning, Ga., where he was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division. After his training at Ft. Benning, Chris was assigned to the “Old Guard” unit in Fort McNair in Arlington, Va. Here he defended Washington, D.C., and performed ceremonial services throughout Washington, Arlington Cemetery and the country. Chris marched in the inaugural parade for President Bush in 2001. Chris was in the Old Guard when the Pentagon was attacked by terrorists on 9/11 and was immediately called upon to clear the Pentagon after the attack. This was a startling glimpse of the true purpose he possessed … to protect and defend his country.

During Chris’ tour in Washington, he came home on leave where his “match-making” cousin set him up with a date. This is where he fell in love with his “Oklahoma Sweetheart,” Kelli Short. It was love at first sight … “the perfect match.” Chris and Kelli later joined in marriage Dec. 21, 2004. Chris had chosen to re-enlist in active duty infantry and was deployed to his first tour in Iraq just weeks after he and Kelli were married. Their home base was Fort Stuart, Ga., and they lived close by in their new home in Allenhurst, Ga. Chris returned from his first tour in Iraq in January 2006. Ten months later, Chris and Kelli celebrated the birth of their beautiful baby boy, Gage Christopher Michael Hake, on Oct. 14, 2006. Gage was Chris’ “Pride and Joy” … there couldn’t have been a more proud father.

Chris worked hard and was promoted to staff sergeant. He was deployed to a second tour in Iraq and left Oct. 23, 2007. On Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008, Chris was called out on patrol as his base was being fired upon. As Chris and four other soldiers were patrolling in their Bradley in southern Baghdad they were hit by an IED which took the lives of Chris and three of his comrades.

In recent e-mails Chris had written to his mom and dad that he was dedicating this tour to become closer to Christ. He also wrote, “If anything were to happen to me, Gage would always be able to know that his father died so that he could live in peace. I know Jesus did the same for me, so it is comforting. I don’t have a nervous bone in my body this time. I am more at peace than I have been my whole life.”

Chris is survived by his precious wife Kelli and son Gage of the home; parents Pete and Jill Hake of Enid, and Denice and Russell York of Sayre; sisters Shannon Hake of Enid and Keri Hake Cotton and husband Andre of Midwest City; brothers Zachary and Skylar Hake of Enid; grandparents Martha Fuller of Oklahoma City, Sydney “Bilbo” and Frances Smith of Erick, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Chris was preceded in death by his grandfather, Dr. Orin Hake, and step-grandparents Jim Fuller, June Crank and Donald Crank.

Memorials may be given in Chris’ memory to either the Gage Hake Education Fund or to the Chris Hake Memorial OBA Scholarship Fund through Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home, P.O. Box 3501, Enid, 73702.

Funeral services for Chris will be 3:30 p.m., Wednesday at Oklahoma Bible Academy, Enid. Rev Garvie Schmidt and Dallas Caldwell will officiate. Burial will take place in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Tuesday at 3 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.

For friends and family in the Stillwater area who would like to sign a memorial book for Mr. Hake, you can come by Strode Funeral Home at 610 S. Duncan from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday. Strode Funeral Home will also receive floral gifts for the family during this time. There is also a trust fund being set up for Gage and contributions may be made to the Family Memorial Fund, c/o Strode Funeral Home, P.O. Box 487, Stillwater, 74075.

Friends may e-mail condolences to the family via our Web site at www.strodefh.com

        

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