Lawrence Carter Drake

Son of Olive Jean Drake (Fountain) and Bradford Winslow Drake III, he was born on April 2, 1954, in Norwood, Massachusetts. He grew up in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, with his loving family and lifelong friends. After graduating from Southeastern Regional Vocational School in Easton, Massachusetts, Larry attended Zion Bible Institute in Rhode Island for three years and completed his education at Southeastern Bible College in Lakeland, FL.

In 1980, he started his family and built his business, Precision Builders, in Ocala, Florida. Larry constructed award-winning homes and developed subdivisions in Ocala for over 30 years. He further expanded the business by starting a real estate brokerage, Ocala Realty. Never satisfied with idle hands, he began a new venture in Ocala and started Berrywood Farm, a blueberry farm where his blueberries were grown on the family property and sold both commercially and locally. He also had a small plant nursery where he sold to local landscaping companies. Larry always kept a garden, a dog, and farm animals. His grandchildren called him Pop-Pop and rode on his tractor.

During this time, he served on several mission trips throughout Central and South America, bringing his unique skill set in construction to better the lives of others while spreading the message of Jesus’ love and salvation.

In 2009, he began a four-year missions project building and serving orphanages in Abancay, Peru, impacting the lives of many and serving in the Lord's name. Returning to the states in 2013, he continued in the field of construction, building a large horse farm in Ocala. This farm was his final project and was featured in Florida Design Magazine, honoring his design, craftsmanship, and attention to detail.

His heart for building and missions merged into the creation of the nonprofit charitable organization 4theloveofkids. This nonprofit builds a better future for orphans by providing them with a firm foundation of education through scholarships, giving them an opportunity to further their lives.

Seeking cooler temperatures, he relocated to North Carolina, which satisfied his love for seasonal weather. In 2015, North Carolina became home. After retiring in 2018, Larry and his wife returned to Peru for another year of mission work and then settled back in North Carolina.

Larry loved spending time in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. He spent many years traveling with his family to New England, sharing his childhood memories with his children. An avid Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins fan, he proudly wore his cap and took his family to games. He was an extremely talented craftsman and built furniture for his family in his workshop. His children remember his hands always being rough and rugged from his life of hard work. He liked a good cup of coffee, a pickup truck, and crisp weather.

He was preceded in heaven by his father, Bradford Winslow Drake III. He is survived by his wife, Debbie Drake; his mother, Olive Jean Drake; his sister, Linda Vice, and her husband, Frank; and his brother, George Drake, and his wife, Diane. He is also survived by his children, Bradford Drake, Rachel Drake Garcia and her husband, Jesus-Richard Garcia, and Elizabeth Drake Howell, and their mother, Janet Claytor. Additionally, he is survived by his stepchildren, Christopher Riker and his wife, Hilary, and Jennifer Riker.

His grandchildren, Alaina Buemi Engels, Kaylee Drake, Emily Curci, Kaleb Adams, Adalid Drake, Ava Isabella Buemi, Landon Howell, Andrew Drake, Sophia Mahlman, and Graclyn Curci, and many nieces and nephews who all loved him dearly and cherish the memories they have with him.

Larry was a deeply beloved son, brother, father, stepfather, uncle, and friend. His passing is unexpected but peaceful. He will forever remain in our hearts until we see him again in Heaven.

We invite you all to share pictures or memories. It would be his wish that we laugh, reminisce, and smile together during this time.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to (https://4theloveofkids.org), a nonprofit organization created by Larry and Debbie Drake.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy can be shared below within "Add a Memory" for the Drake family.