Thomas Jefferson Drake Jr.

Lexington – Thomas Jefferson Drake, Jr., 90, died on Monday, March 26, 2012 at the Lexington Extended Care Center in Lexington, SC. Mr. Drake, born in Newman, Illinois on January 19, 1922, was the son of the late Thomas J. Drake, Sr. and Edith Fuell Drake. He attended the University Of Illinois School Of Engineering.

Tom was a proud veteran of World War II and served with distinction in the Army Air Corps in the China-Burma-India Campaign. Following his honorable discharge in 1945, he was employed with Montgomery Ward for 30 years. Tom retired in 2000 as a building contractor in North and South Carolina.

Tom knew and loved Jesus Christ as his Savior and took his last communion from Dr. Clark McCrary only several weeks ago. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Irmo.

Tom was a Master Wood Carver and was known for his rocking horses and birdhouses. He loved any and all music. He also loved to fish, hunt, garden, and cook, but the love of his life was his family.

Tom was dearly loved and will be greatly missed. He was a loving husband, father, and “Gramps” who was treasured by family and friends. He is survived by his beloved wife, Janelle Blume Butler Drake; daughters, Dari Drake Bartz (David) of Columbus, OH, Beth Butler Viser (Jim) of Suffolk, VA, and Dorri Butler Herring Smith (Jarrell) of Lexington, SC; son, Butch Butler (Tedi) of Irmo, SC; sister, Ruth Ann Schmidt of Buffalo, NY; grandchildren, Caitlin Drake McKay, Yuri Bartz, Will Herring, Macy Herring, Gregory Smith, Andrew Smith, Catherine Butler, Paige Butler Morton, and Max Butler, great-grandson, Charlie Morton, and his best and most devoted friends, Don Davis, Martin Essick and Bill Messer. He was predeceased by his brothers, Major Drake and John William Drake; sisters, Jean Huffaker and Alice May Drake and precious grandson, Jace Herring.

The family is gathering and receiving friends at the home of Dr. Jarrell and Rev. Dorri Butler Smith, 108 Bent Needle Court, Lexington, SC 29072.

We wish to thank all of the residents and staff at Lexington Medical Center Extended Care – Spence Place for their love and devotion to Tom over the last two years, specifically Ivory Stokes, Sara AKA “Sam” Meeks, Hazel Toe, Sarah Haynes, Kayla Mobley, Crystal Taylor, Elena Liggett, Pam Wessinger, Chaplain Delores Eggleston, and Hospice Care of Tri-County.

Friends may visit with the family from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, West Columbia Chapel, 820 West Dunbar

Road, West Columbia.

A celebration of Tom’s life will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 29, 2012 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, West Columbia Chapel with Pastor Randy Greene officiating. Interment with military honors will be immediately following in Southland Memorial Gardens. Honorary pallbearers will be the staff of Lexington Medical Center Extended Care.

The family suggests memorials be made to the Lexington Medical Center Extended Care – Volunteer Program, c/o Mrs. Cindy Quattlebaum, 815 Old Cherokee Road, Lexington, SC 29072.