Drake Okusako
Drake Okusako’s brother Chris sent me this photo of Drake to share.
Here are a few details about Drake, also from his brother Chris:
He was very unlucky with cars. This was the 2nd time he was hit. The first time he was carrying a bag of soccer balls, and only the balls getting between him and the car saved his life. As it was he broke his leg in two or three places, but he fully recovered.
During his life he had been overseas to Taiwan and Japan. Then later he traveled all over Europe. He’s been president of his Demolay (spelling approx) club in Taiwan, a soccer coach for years and years, a junior’s golf champion (low net), a martial artist now and then, a photographer, a computer enthusiast, dental assistant, and on and on. Get him interested in something, and he’d have tunnel vision.
There is more in the comments section of other postings (below) by people who knew him. He sounds like the sort of person anyone would be proud to know.
His family has told me that if they need anything the bicycling community can give, they will ask.
UPDATE: The Star has great article on Drake, with many comments from people who knew him, here. What an interesting guy! And his brother’s compassion for the driver is something we could all learn from, too.
–Erik Ryberg
June 1st, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Can’t find anything that indicates Drake was the proverbial axe-murderer…
June 1st, 2009 at 5:46 pm
I want to tell Coach Oak’s family how kind he was to his players and to their families. He was my son’s first coach, introducing him to the game and inspiring him for the deep love of the sport he has to this day. Coach Oak would ride his bike many, many miles on any given Saturday from park to park not only to coach his own team but also to support his former players as they played with their new teams. He led a quiet, unassuming life that gave much. It is my wish that you know how much he was appreciated in this community for all his efforts.
June 1st, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Very tragic. Tucson lost a good one.
June 1st, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Didn’t know Drake other than seeing him bike around. Sorry to hear about this and hope we all can do him the honor of playing on.
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:34 am
They’re ALL good ones.
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:32 am
He sounds like the kind of person we should all aspire to be more like….
My condolences to his family. This is a loss for so many: soccer players, the biking community, his family, and all of Tucson.
June 4th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Coach Oak was my son’s soccer coach. We were always impressed by his calm manner and kind ways. He exhibited a love for the sport that transcended the game and embodied respect for all players. My condolences to his family. His gentle presence will be missed by many.