Karl Stephen Drews

Karl Stephen Drews, age 70, of Newport Beach, California, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 6, 2024. Karl was born in Los Angeles on November 27, 1953, to Dr. Elmer and Mrs. Elizabeth Drews at California Hospital, the same hospital where Karl’s father had been born.

Karl was a proud native of Southern California. Raised in Buena Park, Karl and his family moved in 1971 to Corona del Mar, where his Grandparents also lived and where he formed happy childhood memories along the beaches of Corona del Mar and Newport Beach.

From a young age, Karl developed a love for construction and, at age 15, began working for his uncle’s roofing company. Karl briefly left Southern California to attend high school in Virginia, returning to attend college at the University of Southern California. During college, Karl worked in construction as a home builder. After receiving his degree from USC’s School of Business in 1976, Karl further pursued his passion for building by obtaining his General Contractor and Electrical Contractor licenses.

On May 17, 1986, Karl married Grace “Margee” Carroll at St. Irenaeus in Cypress, California. Karl and Margee Drews welcomed their daughter, Kristin, in 1989, and their son, Michael, in 1992. Karl and Margee raised their family in Newport Beach and Corona del Mar. Karl was a loving, patient, and present father who took great joy in organizing family boating, fishing, and biking outings on the weekends— which Karl nicknamed “adventures.” These adventures included countless voyages to Catalina Island on their boats. Throughout the years, Karl and Margee designed and built beautiful homes and generously hosted Christmas dinners and other memorable parties for their family and friends.

Over a 34-year career, Karl achieved rewarding professional accomplishments, many in the wireless telecommunications industry where he spent over 20 years as a respected Senior Project Manager. Karl focused his expertise on developing wireless projects and managing the construction of cellular sites and switches. Over the years, he was directly employed by three telecommunications carriers and two network service contractors. Before his recent retirement, Karl managed the deployment of mobile cell sites for nationwide special events.

Karl was a skilled craftsman. In addition to his general contractor and electrical expertise, he was a master boat builder. In his 20s, Karl built an “all wood” trimaran named Little Wing, on which he participated three times in the Newport to Ensenada sailboat race. Built by Karl over four decades ago, Little Wing still sails in New Zealand today. Recently, Karl finished a 10-year restoration project on a 1972 Cal 2-46 sailboat named Drift, a boat where countless family memories were made. A member of the Balboa Yacht Club, Karl was well known and liked along the Newport Beach waterfront where he passionately worked on his boats.

Karl was a true outdoorsman. He enjoyed windsurfing and surfing at the family home on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. He participated in mission trips to Mexico, took adventurous hunting and fishing expeditions, and spent much happy time at the family ranch in Northern California. Karl loved traveling with his family throughout the United States and Mexico, as well as Asia, Europe, Central America, and South America. Most recently, Karl and Margee traveled to Brazil for Michael’s wedding to his wife, Gabi.

Karl was a beloved resident and friend of Newport Beach until his passing. He passed far too soon and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather (“Papa”), brother, uncle, brother-in-law, and friend. Karl was a lifelong Christian and loved family, faith, friends, and country.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Elizabeth. Karl is survived by his wife, Margee, two loving children, Kristin Gaudio (Michael) of Long Beach and Michael Drews (Gabriela) of Newport Beach, one granddaughter, Hadley Grace, and a second granddaughter on the way. Karl is also survived by his sisters, Colleen Gerner and Jennifer Drews, and by his nieces, nephews, and extended family members who loved him dearly.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Orangewood Foundation, a vital organization that supports youth matriculating through the foster care system.

link: https://orangewoodfoundation.org/donate-general/. Comment, "In honor of Karl Drews.”

Thank you.

“Fair Winds and Following Seas.”