Don and I went Coronado High, Southwestern College, and CSU Chico at the same time and lived across the street from each other in high school.  May he rest in peace. 

Don was a brother to me, and I loved him.

I know there is nothing I can say to make this time any easier, but I want to let you (Tiffany) know that I'm very sorry to hear about Don’s passing and that I appreciated him while he was with us. He and I didn't talk often, but when we did it was as though no time had passed - he was a good friend. He was always so very nice with me and made me laugh with his funny emails, comments, and hamster stories. 

When Don and I were on exams together many moons ago, he'd put up framed pictures of Tiffany at his workspace. Some thought it was odd; I thought it was sweet. At my most memorable exam with him, we would drive to Venice Beach for lunch then he introduced me to the “local wildlife” (as he referred to the locals walking around). He cracked me up with his comments and I still have the refrigerator magnet he bought me to remember our adventures in Venice Beach together. LOL! Over the years, we kept in touch mostly via emails and only occasionally had a chance to catch up briefly over the phone. I will really miss him. 

If it hasn’t taken place already, I'd really appreciate having an opportunity to attend a virtual memorial service – please send me details if one will take place. I'd also like to make a donation to a charity in his honor – please let me know the name(s) of one or two in particular he would have appreciated supporting. 

I was saddened to hear of Don’s passing, and I offer my condolences to his family and many friends.  We worked together on several occasions during our careers.  Don was a kind, gentle, fun-loving, and memorable person.  I ask for God’s comfort and peace to be received by all those who mourn his loss. 

Don was a great friend and colleague. When he quietly retired from DBO last year, I submitted the following nomination to have him recognized for the outstanding person he was.  I shared this with him a few months ago:  

I nominate Senior Examiner Donald Lake to receive the DBO Commissioner’s for his 35 plus years of dedication to the State of California at the DBO, and previously at the DFI and State Banking Department. He served as a Senior bank examiner in Sacramento. He later served as a Senior Examiner for Special Licensees in our SF and SD offices, returning to the Banking Division in SD. While serving ably as a Senior Examiner, he demonstrated leadership on several internal committees, including DAC (Disability Advisory Committee), and co-chairing department training conference agenda committees. He approached his participation on DAC, and United Way campaigns with unusual passion and dedication to these noteworthy causes. His generosity with his time, energy and money, was often demonstrated, including when he would procure, and enhance with suitable frames paid for by him, proclamations by the Legislature that recognized the outstanding service of many colleagues that retired before him. He generously shared his examination knowledge with junior examiners throughout is long career. I can think of no examiner more deserving of this recognition.

Tiffany, you I have my sincerest condolences.  Don will be sorely missed.


I’m so very sorry to hear about Don. It heart breaking, you will be in my thoughts and prayers Tiffany. 

My condolences to your family with the passing of Don, a dear friend.  He was a wonderful friend and colleague.  He was always very uplifting and a very compassionate individual.  I missed working, talking, and laughing with Don.  He was an man of integrity.  May he rest in peace.  

Sumala

Don was always so funny and happy. He would always go out of his way to bring me food when I was visiting. He would let me visit in Encinitas and provided a bed, food without anything from me. He let me stay with his wife for 4 months while I was in transition to my new job which was more than 3 hours away. Never charged me a penny. I will always be thankful for Dons generosity! I pray for Tiffany and the family. My condolences.. Rest In Peace Donald Lake. 

I still can’t believe we lost such a kind, intelligent, humble, and humorous man.  I worked alongside of him for 10-15 years until his retirement, and even though we were in the same age bracket, I looked up to him as a role model and a mentor for moral and personal guidance.  I now realize that I had not talked to him since April.  I wish I could go back and tell him how much  he meant to me, and to all of us.   RIP, my dear friend Don, I miss you so much. 

Like others, my heart sank when I heard the news of Don's passing. I worked with him since I first started DBO San Diego mid-2012 until his retirement. He was kind, caring, quick witted, self effacing and always found a way to make me chuckle.  A few years back, co-workers started pink shirt Wednesdays after noticing that he wore pink dress shirts on Wednesdays. So we quickly followed suit and even DBO employees in other offices participated, which continues through today. 

Thank you Don for sharing your smile, organic snacks and your unique self with us for so many years. You are missed. May you rest in peace.  My condolences to Tiffany and the family and his many friends. 

I am still shocked by this news. Don was a great man with a heart of gold. He always kept everyone in a good mood with his great sense of humor. He was very generous and tried to help others as much as possible. He has been like a family to many of us.  We love you and will miss you, Don. Rest In Peace 

I am so sorry to hear of Don’s passing and I want to send my sincere condolences to his family. I worked with Don for close to 15 years. Don was one of a kind, and one of the most generous people I have ever met. Throughout the years he looked out for me and always offered advice with the best intentions. I was lucky enough to run into him after he quietly retired. I’m so happy I did, because I was able to say goodbye and give him my best wishes. He will be missed. I wish for peace for those that were close to him, especially Tiffany.  ❤️

Don was a work colleague at California Department of Business Oversight.  Don and I had worked together a number of times over the years and I enjoyed working with him.  He had a great sense of humor and was a person of integrity.   I remember fondly the times we worked together, good times we shared.  We both were alumni of Chico State University and both had worked at CA DBO since the early 1980s.  Don will be greatly missed.   My deepest condolences to Don’s family and friends.

Dave Spainhour 
Billings Montana 

Don was so kind and generous, both in his actions and in his words.  I will treasure all the supportive and flattering feedback I received from him, as well as think back to our interactions with a smile.  He will be missed.  May he Rest In Peace.  In this picture, he had joined me on an outreach event in San Diego regarding elder financial literacy.  Glad for that opportunity to share some non-desk-work time with him. 

OBITUARIO

Donald H Lake

6 octubre, 1955 – 11 agosto, 2020

El Camino Memorial - Encinitas

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