Gerard Anthony Lakes, 27

Gerard Anthony Lakes passed away Friday, Aug. 14, 2009, in Brooks, Alberta, at the age of 27. The cause of death is still unknown at this time. Gerard was born June 20, 1982, to Mike and Lucie Ann (Purdy) Lakes.

He spent his childhood riding dirt bikes with his father Mike and brother Mark, and hunting and fishing with his grandpa, Clarence. He spent many happy hours with his Poppy and Gram Lakes, as well as his grandma Purdy. He was always running free with his sidekick cousin, Katie Purdy.

As a young adult he enjoyed mountain biking, skiing and rock climbing. He had many occupations including owning his own construction business, Climb on Construction. The last year of his life he spent several months with his mother, Lucie Ann, where he helped her with upgrades to her home in Kalispell.

Gerard traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada, always being a footloose and fancy free lover of life and adventure.

His greatest love was his son, Jude Lakes, of Missoula. He was exceptionally proud of his brother Mark, and always worried about him during his tour of duty overseas with the United States Marine Corps. Gerard was very proud of his sister Molly, and he was elated when her son Kaeden was born.

Gerard was very artistic. He loved to draw, hitch horse hair and tattoo.

He was a very kind, loving young man.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clarence and Lucy Purdy; his namesake and uncle, Gerard Raymond Purdy; his great-uncle, Charlie Urschel; and great-grandparents, Sidney and Martha Lakes, and Buck and Poovey Urschel.

Gerard is survived by his son, Jude Lakes, and Jude's mother, Chelsey Curtis, of Missoula; his parents, Mike Lakes of Coram, and Craig and Lucie Ann Davis of Kalispell; his sister, Molly Lakes, and Blaine Childers, and their son, Kaeden Childers, of Kalispell; brother, Lance Corporal Mark Lakes of the U.S. Marine Corps, and Cortny Westgard, Mark's fiancee; stepbrother, Jake Davis, Seaman 3rd Class of the United States Navy, currently serving in Guam; his grandparents, Jerry and Delores Lakes, of Coram; and many other family members and friends too numerous to list.

A graveside service, officiated by Rev. Newby, will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, at St. Richard's Cemetery in Columbia Falls. A reception will follow at his mother's home in Kalispell.

Johnson-Gloschat Mortuary is taking care of the arrangements.

"Climb on my son, Climb on!"