Daniel Oke

Daniel Richard Oke, 73, was born in Port Huron, Michigan October 25, 1948, to the late Verdon Henry “Bud” Oke and the late Pauline Edith Marion Park Oke.
Dan was an unabashed lover of romance, happy endings, and the finer things in life, especially M&M’s, vanilla ice cream, Hershey syrup, and Spanish peanuts - preferably together and as often as possible. He never saw a puppy he didn’t want to bring home, a kitten he didn’t want to cuddle, or a sad movie that didn’t make him cry. Vacation days were never left unspent; no overtime hour was ever worth the time away from his family. He loved a good joke, owned no neckties without cartoon characters, and laughed a laugh that made any day a little better. He had too many shoes, too many tools, and too few days on this Earth.
He loved his family and was loved by them with equal measure. His sister, Barbara Oke of Marysville, MI; his children, Leah Oke of Albemarle, NC; Benjamin (Carrie) Oke of Raleigh, NC; and Rachel (Matthew) Hoover of Albemarle, NC; and five grandchildren, Grace, Penelope, Isley, Amos, and Ayrton were the joy and light of his life. But, as much as he loved all of them, he loved Rebecca Jean Ray Oke, his wife of 51 years, more. Even when dementia had taken away everything else, Dan held her hand and asked if they could fall in love all over again. He even asked her to marry him again and, of course, she said yes!
He was a lover of adventure and spent many happy days with his family and camper in tow as they explored the country he had so proudly served during the Vietnam War. He embarked on his last and greatest adventure on August 7, 2022, when he took his last breath at his home, in his own bed, surrounded by the love of his family, the love of his life, and the love of his Savior, Jesus Christ. Daniel Richard Oke was a man who lived in love and left in love; no man will be more greatly missed. We love you, Dan the husband, Dan the Dad, Dan the brother, and Dan the Papa, and the world is a little less without your gentle soul.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 am - 10:45 am, Saturday, August 20, 2022, at Philadelphia Presbyterian Church in Mint Hill, NC. The service to celebrate his life will follow at 11:00 am in the church sanctuary, officiated by Rev. Dr. Herbie Miller. Military honors will be conducted by the NC Army Honor Guard.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081, or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Oke family. Online condolences may be made at www.harsellfh.com