Mr. Drake was born in Waubay, South Dakota on December 14, 1923. He retired from the United States Navy as a Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) with thirty years of service as a Naval Aviator (1942-1972), WWII Veteran and a member of the Navy Silver Eagles.
Lee Drake resided in Pensacola, Florida with his wife Jo after his retirement. Lee and Jo golfed and traveled visiting family and friends. He was an active member of the Myrtle Grove United Methodist Church and an active member of the Warrington Elks Lodge BPOE 2108.
Mr. Drake is survived by two sons and daughter-in-law’s, Gary Drake (Sue Ellen} of Candler, North Carolina and Tom Drake {Florence) of Largo, Florida; granddaughters, Kathleen Chavanu (PJ) of Glenview, Illinois, Joanne Schinstock (Brad) of Edmond, Oklahoma and Jacqueline Patterson (George) of Denver, Colorado; grandson, Lee S. Drake (Mandy) of Jacksonville, Florida; six great granddaughters, Olivia, Madeline and Sophia Chavanu; Victoria and Gemma Schinstock; Presley Drake; three great grandsons, Liam Drake, Gabriel Schinstock and George Patterson IV and his sister, Betty Mischke (Vern) of Minneapolis, Minnesota..
He is preceded in death by his wife, Jo Drake; three brothers, Nyle Drake and Dale Drake of South Shore, South Dakota and Darrell Drake of Watertown, South Dakota and sister, Romona Sterry of Slidell, Louisiana.
A Memorial Service with Inurnment to follow will be held 1:30 pm Friday, June 7, 2019 at Barrancas National Cemetery, Naval Air Station, 1 Cemetery Road, Pensacola, Florida 32508.
Contribution may be made to the American Cancer Society or Charity of Choice.
Arrangements were held under the direction of Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home 7950 131st Street N., Seminole, FL\727-391-0121
