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David Marion Blake passed away from this life on April 12, 2024, at the age of 73 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Dave was born on February 27, 1951, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The son of Frank and Sybil Blake, Dave grew up in Cleveland and spent his earliest days running around and getting in trouble with his sisters at the Dari-Diner (the restaurant started by Frank and Sybil). It was at the Dari-Diner that he would meet Linda Kay Miller after her friend’s car broke down on the lot. He fixed their car and asked for her number. Soon they would be dating. He graduated from Cleveland High School in 1969 and studied business at Northeastern State University. He and Linda were married on August 11, 1972, in Hominy, Oklahoma, and would spend the next few years living in various locations around Oklahoma and Kansas for his various jobs, including working at the Petrolite-Bareco Plant, Fine Airport Parking, and QuikTrip. He later worked with one of his best friends, Frank Davis, at Davis Pipe Testing, and worked his way from roughneck to driller for Brown Brothers Drilling.
In 1993, Dave and Linda purchased the Dari-Diner from Sybil. Times were tough, but with a big smile and big promotions (like “Free Fries in July”), the business began growing again. Here he employed dozens of teenagers who he would consider his kids. He loved serving the city of Cleveland and was a staple on Main Street during celebrations and events. He retired in 2022 and he was celebrated on his final day with a large gathering of people from Cleveland and beyond whose lives had been touched by the Dari-Diner. The day was proclaimed, “Dari-Diner Day” by the City of Cleveland.
Dave was an avid sports fan, especially OU football and golf. He spent many years attending NASCAR races with his friends, Eddie and Jerry. In his spare time, he loved playing golf, reading, and talking to people. No one was above or below him in status and loved and respected everyone and had time for anyone. He loved giving and helping people, often buying food for those in need or just giving some extra spending money to the kids that worked for him. He also never missed a chance to see his family and adored them all.
He loved spending time with his wife of 51 years. Although they had planned to travel after his retirement, they found that they were having too much fun spending time with their dog, going to concerts, and just being together to ever pack up and leave.
His greatest joy was his grandchildren, Jake and Nate. From the day they were born he traveled to Tulsa daily to see them at daycare, take them to lunch or dinner, and just hang out with them. He took them to concerts and movies and adopted all of their interests as his own. He spoiled them with love and laughter and taught them all he could about being a good man.
Survivors are his wife, Linda; his son Ian David Blake and his wife Stacee of Bixby, Oklahoma; two grandchildren, Jacob Ian Blake and Nathaniel Hendrix Blake; his twin sister Deborah Gerber and her husband Dr. James Gerber of Kingfisher, Oklahoma; his younger sister Donna Rainbolt and her fiancé Brad Mohler of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; five nieces, seven nephews, two cousins and a host of friends. David was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Sybil Blake, aunt Billie and uncle Gene Blake, cousin Kimberly Hollander, brother-in-law Ray Rainbolt, and nephew Michael Griffin.
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