Robert Daniel "Dan" Westlake

Robert Daniel "Dan" Westlake Jr., age 73, went home to be with the LORD on Aug. 31, 2016. Dan was born in Little Rock, Ark., on Feb. 6, 1943. He was preceded in death by his parents; Robert and Mabel Westlake, Patricia Ann Ray Westlake, his wife of 52 years, and a sister Susanne Barnes. Dan is survived by his daughter, Cindy (Chris) Yingling of Walton, Ky., and his son Ty (Duuna, deceased) Westlake of Owasso, Okla.; a sister Betty (Carrol, deceased) Staggs of East End, Ark., a brother Jimmy (Frankie) Westlake of Sulphur, La.; Stepmother Joyce Westlake and two step siblings. He is survived by three Granddaughters; Sarah Bryant, Rebecca (Allen) Gee, and Leah (Robert) Ellison; five ½ great-grandchildren as well as beloved nieces, nephews, special cousins and friends. Along with serving his country in the Navy, Dan's Church service included memberships at East Union Baptist, Harlan Park, where he acted as job Superintendent for the new sanctuary, and lastly at First Baptist Church in Walton, Ky. Dan was a man of many talents and special interest. He was a retired High Pressure Welder from Alcoa. He taught welding at Pulaski Vo-tech, and worked as an Airport dedicated Fireman. He enjoyed working with his Uncles, family and friends building houses, laying brick, electrical, drilling water wells, chainsaw work, dump truck driver, etc. Along with all the work, Dan loved his family. He loved the lake-skiing, boating, camping, fishing and sports. He once served as the Baseball Commissioner of Saline County. He also enjoyed four-wheeler riding and deer hunting. Dan was always a teacher of life lessons. A great storyteller and poet who loved to tell fun nonsense stories that provoked first laughter then reflection. He also was a connoisseur of hot spicy food. He was especially fond of "sweet pickles" known as jalapenos to us mere mortals. In his golden years he became an expert yard manicurist and bait shop attendant extraordinaire! Donations in his memory can be made to American Diabetes Assoc., American Cancer Society, or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Services will be a graveside memorial at Pinecrest Memorial Gardens in Alexander, Ark., on September 9, 2016 at 10:30 a.m.