Ralph Anthony “Tony” Plake

Ralph Anthony “Tony” Plake was welcomed home by his Heavenly Father at 6:40 a.m. on Thursday, July 6, 2023. He was born in Indiana on September 27, 1962 to Jack and Cassandra (Swaim) Plake.

Tony graduated from Tipton High School in 1981 where he excelled in football and track. He furthered his education with a degree in conservation Law Enforcement from Vincennes University in 1983. After graduation he joined the Tipton Fire Department as a firefighter and EMT and worked for Young-Nichols Ambulance Service. He later worked for Nickels Bakery as a route man and a manager. Tony also enjoyed using his skill as a machinist for Plake tooling for several years. Tony was greatly involved at Kemp United Methodist Church where he assisted with the camping district and helped create the “Praise Team’.

While in Indiana, he became a father to his son Shiloh and his daughter Amanda. Moving to Texas in 2000 he would continue his civil service and become a Travis County Sheriff Deputy, proudly wearing the badge until his time of passing.

Tony was an avid woodworker, loved to fish, hunt and shoot guns. He enjoyed a good game of Texas Hold’Em. He could often be found on a good mountain bike trail, especially at Reveille Peak Ranch, one of his favorite places. He was proud to be an instructor and leader for “Start em Young”. He was loved by so many; he was very blessed.

He is survived by his son Shiloh, daughter Amanda Jackson-Weston and husband James, grandsons Mason Jackson-Weston, and Ashton Moore, mother Cassandra Plake, sister Marci Whitesell and husband Rick and niece Cassie Whitesell and nephew Andrew Whitesell, and several loving aunts, uncles and cousins.

Tony was preceded in death by his father Jack, a brother Barry and a nephew Chad Whitesell.

A celebration of life will take place on Saturday August 5, at 2:00 p.m. at Kemp United Methodist Church in Tipton with the Revs. Byron Kaiser and Brian Cooper officiating. The family will receive friends from noon until service time.

Young-Nichols Funeral Home is honored to assist with arrangements.

Memorial contributions in honor of Tony may be made to the Kemp United Methodist Church, 228 N. Main Street, Tipton, Indiana, 46072.