LADUSAU-EVANS FUNERAL HOME
2800 N VAN BUREN
ENID, OKLAHOMA 73703
580-233-1400
ladusauevans@suddenlinkmail.com
SSgt Chris Hake

Christopher Michael Hake was born August 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, OK., until the age of two when he moved to Enid with his
father and two sisters, Shannon & 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 Jr. 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 O.B.A. and
through his youth group at Grace World Outreach Center.  Chris traveled to
Mexico on a mission trip with the youth.
Upon graduation from O.B.A. in May, 2000, Chris joined the Army.  He was
stationed at Ft. Benning, Georgia, 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, D.C., Arlington
Cemetery and throughout 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 on December 21, 2004.  Chris
had chosen to reenlist 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, Georgia, and they lived close by in their new home in Allenhurst,
Georgia. 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 October 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 October 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 emails Chris had written to his mom & 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, Ok., and Denice and Russell York of Sayre,
OK.;  sisters Shannon Hake of Enid and Keri Hake Cotton and husband Andre
of Midwest City, OK;  brothers Zachary and Skylar Hake of Enid, OK.;
grandparents Martha Fuller of Oklahoma City, OK., Sydney “Bilbo” and Frances
Smith of Erick, OK., 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, OK 73702.
Funeral services for Chris will be 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 2, 2008, at
Oklahoma Bible Academy, Enid, OK.   Rev Garvie Schmidt and Dallas
Caldwell will officiate.  Burial will take place in Arlington National Cemetery,
Arlington, Virginia, Tuesday, April 8, at 3:00 p.m.  There will be a time of
visitation with the family, Tuesday, April 1, 2008 from 6-7:30 pm at the funeral
home.  Arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral
Home.
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