Jeff Drake

Name: Interment
Start: 06/18/2024 09:45 AM
Location: Heritage Cremation & Burial Society

December 9, 1949 — May 16, 2024

Jeffry Lewis Drake, 74, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2024 with his wife, Catherine and his daughter, Carolyn by his side, at the Louis Stokes Cleveland V.A. Medical Center. On February 14, 2020 (St. Valentine's Day), Jeff was admitted into the Cleveland V.A. to have major open heart surgery. He had a long, hard recovery but healed nicely - only to be diagnosed in January of this year with bile duct liver cancer that had spread to his lungs, and a cure was not to be.

Jeff was born on December 9, 1949 in Delaware, Ohio, to Harold and Elaine Bale Drake. He was a resident of Creston, Ohio, and was a Strongsville High School graduate of 1967 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the West Virginia Institute of Technology in 1975. Jeff faithfully served his country as a Navy MCB Ten "SeaBee" out of Port Hueneme, California, from 1970-1973. Over the years, Jeff worked at various places as a mechanic and among them many years for Ray Karg and Sons Marathon service station on Akron's west side as head mechanic, while also starting his own car repair and body shop business D.D.C. (Drake Diesel Consultants), and owned Highland Towing and Repair in Akron. Jeff eventually was self-employed as one of the few Forensic Mechanics in the country.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Catherine Schafer-Drake, whom he married in 1994 and was blessed to celebrate 30 years of marriage this past April 30th. He is also survived by his ex wife, Candy Emde Drake - the mother of his daugher, Carolyn (Jeffrey) Terwilliger, his grandsons Samuel and Miles Terwilliger, whom he loved to spend time with; siblings Dinese Drake, Paul (Sharon) Drake, and Donna Drake (Austin Brown) and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his 89-year-old father-in-law Donald Schafer and his sister-in-law Sally Goodyear, with whom he spent much of his leisure time.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Harold E. Drake, Jr., (Paul's twin brother).

A limb has fallen from the family tree, and I hear a voice that says grieve not for me. Remember the best times, the laughter, the song, the good life I lived while I was strong.

Interment will be at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Seville, Ohio, on June 18th at 9:45 AM. Family, friends and others are invited to attend to honor the life of Jeff.

Jeff's family would like to thank The Cleveland V.A. Medical Center, and specifically Heroes Harbor Hospice, for their compassionate care. Memorial contributions in Jeff's honor may be made to a Veteran's charity of the donor's choice. Condolences and special memories of Jeff can be shared with his family online at www.heritagecremationsociety.com

Heritage Cremation & Burial Society
(216) 631-4500

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Service Schedule

Past Services

Interment

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Starts at 9:45 am (Eastern time)

Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery

10175 Rawiga Rd, Seville, OH 44273

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Jeff Drake

December 9, 1949 — May 16, 2024

Service Schedule

Past Services

Interment

Guestbook