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Raymond Leroy Drake

1914 - 2009

Raymond Leroy Drake

Cedar City - Raymond Leroy Drake lived a full 94 years before he passed quietly into the hand of Jesus and rejoined his lifetime companion and sweet hart, Ruth on April 18, 2009.  A devout Christian and decorated World War II veteran, he lived as a loving husband, father and grandfather.  He will be remembered fondly in his community as the smiling person who told every one he met to "Have a beautiful day with Jesus!"

Born on September 10, 1914, he grew up in Iowa.  He graduated valedictorian of his class of 1932.  Ray spent most of his adult years in the Midwest.  In Iowa, he and his wife led many Lay Witness Missions in the United Methodist Church and saw many come to the Lord Jesus.  He also owned the "Open Book" - a Christian bookstore until he moved to Cedar City, Utah in 1994 to be close to his son and family.

His expertise was the mechanics of radio and, from its inception television.  In WW II he was awarded a bronze star and was with the 134 division when they freed Italy.  Radio and television was his profession in civil life.  He had an electronics shop on Main Street and had the first television set in their town.  He and Ruth's dream came true when they were able to travel to Africa to spend a month in  the bush villages with their daughter Peggy who has been a missionary nurse there since 1980.

Raymond and Ruth were the parents of two children, Peggy Drake - a missionary nurse in Burkina Faso, West Africa, and Lin (Debbie) Drake - a general contractor in Cedar City, Utah.  They have two grandchildren - Travis (Rachel) Drake of Mooresville, NC, and Katie (Graydon) Meeks of Daytona Beach, FL.

We all wonder what will be the lasting impression that he will leave behind - to all who knew Raymond, it will be - "Have a beautiful day with Jesus."

Funeral services will be held at Red Hills So. Baptist Church in Enoch at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 22, 2009.  Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. 

Arrangements entrusted to Swindlehurst Funeral Home, 2113 North Main Street, Cedar City. 

source: Daily Spectrum (St. George, UT), 21 Apr 2009, page 5, column 3

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