Richard D. Fake Jr. passed away peacefully at the age of 73 in Houston, Texas. Born in Hershey, Penn., on June 8, 1942, and raised in Phoenix, Ariz. Dick graduated from Sunnyslope High School in 1960 and spent four years in the United States Air Force, stationed in Alaska "spying on the Russians spying on us" and ranked Airman 1st Class. Trained as part of the first generation of computer programmers, he was also in the National Guard Reserve for many years.
Dick traveled extensively throughout Mexico, the Caribbean and South Pacific, favoring the Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. He loved sailing, feeling the ocean spray in his face and living a free, unfettered life. Now he can "see the world" with his lifelong travel companions who preceded him in death, Ken McKenzie and Dennis Cousins. He leaves behind many people he touched.
Richard passed his love of the island life onto his daughter Shera. After surviving cancer and life’s trials, he chose to relocate to St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with his daughter and her family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Christine and Richard Sr. He is survived by his daughter, Shera Elvins, and her husband Jeff; granddaughter, Malea, of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands; and sister, Betty Nelson and her partner, Sydney Munger, of Phoenix, Ariz.
Richard has chosen to be cremated and have his ashes spread out over Mother Ocean. In lieu of flowers, please donate to an animal rescue group, as he loved all living things.
