Francis and Joyce Lake have established the Nathan F. Lake Memorial Scholarship Fund in the Franklin County Community Foundation in memory of their son who died in an accident on May 27, 2009, at the age of 28.
Nathan was a very friendly child and knew no stranger. Growing up in Cedar Grove, he played with other kids; but also spent many hours visiting the older members of town.
He was a 10 year 4-H member and loved model building in which he won Grand Champion a number of times. He was involved in Jr. Leaders, also.
Nathan had issues with learning and overcame them through the help of very special teachers in school and in Miami University’s learning programs. He was involved in sports, the choir and FFA in school. He was President of the FFA his senior year and received the Turf Management Award.
During his years growing up, he worked for different famers in our community and loved the outdoors. Receiving the Brad Hofer Scholarship and a scholarship from the IUE of Connersville helped him go forward in his schooling to Cincinnati State College and graduate in 2003 with an Associates Degree in Civil Engineering Technology – Surveying.
He married Jessica McVey and has two children, Kelsi and Liam. Just the weekend before he died he and his family went camping at Houston Woods.
His love of 4-H, the outdoors, and farming have given his family the incentive to commemorate his life with a scholarship for a Franklin County High School graduate, who is a 10 year 4-H or FFA member. Besides a current year graduate, this scholarship may be available to any young farmer for continuing enrichment in his or her farming education.