Obituary for Tamara Ake

Tamara Dee (Gibson) Ake

September 20, 1962 ~ September 21, 2022 (age 60)

Tamara Ake, 60, of Ponca City, Oklahoma, passed peacefully on September 21, 2022 surrounded by her family. She was a true fighter, battling cancer for over two years until God finally took her home.

Tamara was born on September 20, 1962 along with her twin sister Sandra. She grew up in Fremont, CA., graduating from Irvington High School in 1981. Many of her summers growing up were spent with her mother and stepfather, Grace and Norman Brown in Kaw City, Ok.. Tamara, Sandra and their brother Gary enjoyed going to the beach, water skiing, and hanging out with friends during their summer vacations. It was during this time that Tamara met Mark Ake, the love of her life. Mark eventually traveled to California as Tamara completed high school, and they were married in 1981 a few weeks after her graduation. They returned to Ponca City shortly after getting married, and began to establish their roots together.

Mark and Tamara remained married for 41 years until her passing. During her last years, she became a member of Connect Church and was re-baptized. On June 21, 2022, Tamara and Mark renewed their wedding vows in the presence of family and friends. One of her last wishes was to celebrate her 60th birthday with her twin sister and her family. Her wish came true before going to be with God.

Tamara enjoyed spending time with her husband Mark, two sons, Chad and Cory, her daughter-in-law Tacy, and her two grandsons, Trevor and Collin. They had many “weenie roasts” on the property while playing games outside. They were often joined by their extended family, having plenty of room to just spread out and have fun. Family reunions at their property in Ponca City also became a tradition, and everyone looked forward to the long weekend parties where family would come from across the country for a weekend (or week) together.

Tamara loved her animals. She had 5 dogs, a parrot, large rabbit and a turtle. In addition, she also enjoyed numerous horses, chickens, turkey’s and just about any other animal she could bring home. She enjoyed coffee on her porch with her husband Mark, while watching her animals run around.

Everyone who knew Tamara knew what a crafty person she was. She loved to sew, crochet, and do needlepoint projects. She could also look at any project, know exactly how to make it, and then get the supplies to make dozens of them for her family members. She often made Christmas presents and gifted them to everyone she could think of. There was no craft project that Tamara wouldn’t tackle with zest, and leave people asking “how did you make that?”.

She was always the life of the party. She was known to talk loud and laugh louder, and everyone had a good time when they were sitting around with Tamara. She wasn’t shy, and she had a way of bringing out the best in others.

Tamara spent several years working at Pioneer Technology in Ponca City as a custodian. Prior to that, she spent a number of years in clothing retail, always enjoying the latest fashions. She kept an extensive wardrobe of clothing and fashion jewelry, always having just the right outfit for any occasion.

Tamara is survived by her husband Mark; son Chad Ake and wife Tacy; son Cory Ake; grandsons Trevor and Collin Ake, all of Ponca City. She is also survived by mother Grace Brown of Ponca City, twin sister Sandra Fiance and husband Glen of California, brothers Bob Gibson of Florida, Dave Gibson of Florida, Jim Gibson and wife Barbara of Arizona, Gary Gibson and wife Jenny of Oklahoma, brother Jerry Palmer of Arizona, brother-in-law Jim Ake and wife Charlotta of Missouri, brother-in-law John Ake of Arkansas, sister-in-law Connie Cobb of Oklahoma, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her father, Robert Gibson, step-father Norman Brown, half-sister Teresa Gibson, father-in-law Everett Ake, mother-in-law Alma Ake, and sister-in-law Shelly Ake.

A funeral ceremony will be held on Saturday, October 1st, 2022 at 10:00am at Connect Church in Ponca City, OK. Burial will follow at Grandview Cemetery in Kaw City. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel, 2016 N. 14th Street, Ponca City, OK., (580) 762-2464.