David Prok's Obituary
David Prok, 84, of Westlake, Ohio, passed away on January 30, 2024, after a brief illness. He was born in Lakewood, Ohio, on June 27, 1939, to the late George Prok Jr and Anna Perko.
David is survived by siblings Eleanor Dukles, Darine Harjar, Myron Prok (Shirley), and Leroy Prok (Martha), and special friends Rick Smith and Brian Kelly. He was preceded in death by his life mates Jerry Knasel and Mark Holloway and siblings Betty Pelikan, Daniel, and George Prok. Many nieces, nephews, and a host of extended family and friends will miss him.
After graduating from Lakewood High, David continued his education at Kent State, Bowling Green State University, and R.E.M Institute, leading to a 50+ year career in teaching. David taught as a college-level professor at Bowling Green State University and Bluffton College. He was Chair of the Division of Social Sciences at Baldwin Wallace College and the Sociology Department at Cuyahoga Community College. He was responsible for instituting the Baldwin Wallace College Humanitarian Award for Social Justice in Sex and Gender Diversity. The award is given annually to the B.W. campus community members who make B.W. more hospitable, safe, and accepting of minority members at the University. He also embraced membership and leadership roles in his much-loved West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church.
David was raised in Lakewood, Ohio, and settled in Westlake as a lifelong resident. He made many church-related trips to the village of Bagyon, Transylvania in Romania. Some of his cremains will rest there alongside Mark's and Jerry's. David was kind, thoughtful, and considerate and will truly be missed.
David's life will be celebrated on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church, located at 20401 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River, Ohio 44116.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made toward the B.W. Humanitarian Award for Social Justice in Sex and Gender Diversity scholarship and can be accessed through the following URL: https://www.b-wcommunity.net/give. Please use the Designation "Other" and put the fund's full name in the comments box.
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