Barry Lamar Drake

Barry Lamar Drake, 49, of Keenesburg, Colorado passed away on July 10, 2025, by suicide. We ask that you meet this loss with compassion, not judgment. Mental health battles are often invisible until they become unbearable, and Barry carried more than most could ever know. Although his battle with mental health took him from us, we want to remember him for the love he gave this world.

Barry was born in Denver, Colorado on October 1st, 1975 to Dan Drake and Connie Hintz. In 1990, Jody became his mother as well, a role she filled with unwavering love and strength. Barry graduated from Hinkley High School in 1994 and lived a full and peaceful life in Colorado surrounded by family,

friends, and love.

He married Shannon McCurley in 2002, and in 2006, they welcomed their greatest gift into the world Shaunah Mae Drake. Strong, resilient, and gorgeous, Shaunah was the absolute center of Barry’s world. While the marriage didn’t last, the shared love for their daughter always did. Watching her grow, especially on the soccer field, was one of Barry’s greatest joys. Seeing her prepare for college filled him with deep, undeniable pride.

Barry loved BIG. He loved music from rock to rap to the cheesiest pop you could find (and yes, sometimes on repeat). He loved camping, racing dirt bikes and ATVs, riding side-by-sides, building things from wood, detailing cars to showroom shine, and was the best damn forklift driver many of us ever saw (just ask him). He had a green thumb and took pride in his yard, listening to his music playlists at full volume, and his tractor which, in true Barry fashion, didn’t require a reason to be driven.

Barry continued to show his love by being a Miami Dolphins diehard, a Colorado Avalanche fan, and a proud supporter of the Denver Nuggets, however his love for animals was unmatched. Barry was a true dog whisperer who shared his life with many animals such as: Sodak, Doc, Rowdy, Larry, and his cat Oscar.

After a serious work accident, Barry showed remarkable resilience. He fought to regain strength, independence, and purpose. But the hardest battle was the one no one could see, the one in his mind. He fought as long as he could, but it became too much. His death leaves a silence that will never be filled, but his life leaves behind stories, love, and laughter that will never fade.

Barry lives on through his daughter Shaunah Mae Drake; his parents Dan and Jody Drake; his brother and sister-in-law Tanner and Taylor Drake; his loyal dog Larry and his cat Oscar; His Godfather Marty Keating and God Mother Carey Hintz; as well as many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who were lucky enough to know him.

He was preceded in death by his mother Connie Hintz; his grandparents Leroy and Lavonne Hintz, Wid and Ella Mae Drake, and Wayne and Peggy Schacht; and his beloved dogs Sodak, Doc, and Rowdy.

We will be honoring Barry with music, stories, and space to laugh, cry, and remember the man who would go to the ends of the earth for anyone he loved. We will also be sharing some of his favorite lyrics, the ones that meant something to him and now, mean everything to us.

Memorial Service will be Tuesday, July 22nd at 1pm at the Harvest Fellowship 11401 E 160th Ave. Brighton, CO 80602.

In lieu of or accompanied by flowers, Shaunah Mae is requesting donations in the name of her father, the beloved Barry Drake, to the non-profit Fishing the Good Fight to support Men’s Mental Health.

www.fishingthegoodfight.org

Suggestion for a hotel for our traveling family and friends would be the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Denver NE - Brighton by IHG 2212 Medical Center Dr. Brighton, CO 80601 (303) 659-8574