David Dank

State Representative David Dank, 76, died Friday at his Oklahoma City home. Born in Pittsburgh, Penn., he graduated from Bishop McGuinness High School in Oklahoma City and attended the University of Oklahoma. He was publisher of both the Moore Monitor and the Oklahoma Conservative Review, and served as executive vice president of the Oklahoma Retail Merchants Association, where he was instrumental in winning passage of the consumer credit code and creating the state's photo drivers license system. He also owned Dank Consulting, an insurance brokerage. In 2006 he was elected to represent District 85 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, succeeding his wife Odilia, who had served in that role for 12 years. As a legislator, David pushed for the creation of the first legislative committee dealing with senior issues and served as its first chairman. He also chaired a statewide task force examining tax credits and authored legislation to require mandatory prison sentences for those who sexually abuse young children. Throughout his legislative service he was known as the "conscience of the Legislature" for his strong stands in favor of reform, winning him respect from both sides of the aisle. David was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church and a strong supporter of charitable causes, including Birth Choice of Oklahoma and the Baptist Children's Home. David was preceded in death by his parents and by his wife Odilia. He is survived by a brother, Jan, of Sacramento, California; a sister, Yvonne Grewe and her husband Ed, of Tulsa; stepdaughter Dr. Trina Joslin, her husband Dr. Gale Joslin, and grandchildren Daniel and Hannah, all of Owasso. Our "Dahwah" was the best Grandad. He loved to be the Easter Bunny and Santa who bestowed tons of chocolate. He was always available to be there for his family. He was the best person to turn to for advice. He lived a life of true, sacrificial, generously giving love through his marriage, with Trina and Gale and his grandchildren, with his many friends, but most especially with his God. He cared about people, regardless of their station in life, and worked tirelessly on their behalf. He was generous, loyal, and trustworthy. He was the "Good Samaritan". Visitation will be Tuesday 9am to 7pm and Wednesday 9am to 5pm at Smith and Kernke North May Ave. An Evening Prayer Service will be celebrated at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 15th at Christ the King Church, with Mass of the Christian Burial at noon Thursday, April 16th also at Christ the King. Graveside services immediately following at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers and other memorials, the family requests donations to the Odilia Dank Memorial Fund at Birth Choice of Oklahoma, 4701 S. Western, Oklahoma City, OK 73109.