So very sorry for your loss. My Dad Kenneth J Morris
and Lois  Morris were friends of Stuart's parents Tom and Frances Anne Drake when stationed at Wright Patterson AFB where I was born. I have Anne's name.   Cheryl Anne Morris (Tucker. ) My parents kept in touch with the Drake family for many years. Both of my parents are gone as well.......Time goes on..... very sad.....

I just learned of his passing.  As a past member of Prince of Peace it was my great honor to know him.  He had a sweet smile and was always a strong and good man.  I am sorry for your loss.

Stu was one in a million.   Supportive.  Funny. Organized and dependable.  He was one of the finest people I've ever known.  Kind.  Generous.  Loving.   It was a privilege to work with him as an elder.  I wish Marianne and his beautiful family God's comfort. Much love, Pastor Rob & Linda Maulella

Mr. Drake was a great guy.  I enjoyed helping him at the bank. He always had something funny to say or a joke to tell.  His smile caused a chain reaction.  He will be missed by many, including me :( Patsy LaVigne

Stu was a wonderful  friend.  We served in the military together.   We always thought of ourselves’s as birthday buddies,  sharing the date December 3.  Stu was a kind hearted person, so very smart, fun, loved his family. Best of the best.. you’ll be missed my friend .. Gone but never forgotten

May God give you his strength and peace during this difficult time.  Just know that as a fellow BLS employee, Stu was an easy person to work with.  
Valarie Hudson

We were so sorry to hear about Stu.
Stu was the very first person we met when we visited Prince of Peace.  We visited the same Sunday that the Family Life Center was dedicated.  He was such a wonderful & Godly man and will be missed.  Prayers of comfort and peace for Marianne, Bill & Jennifer.

Stu and I have been friends since 6th grade .We played in the band together, worked together, have shared the joys of marriage and kids . He has been an inspiration to me and my family. God Bless You Stu, your friendship is priceless. To Marianne, Jennifer, and Bill, stay strong. 

Ed and I were always greeted by Stu when we entered church. He never missed and would seek us out to see how we were doing. Stu was a distinguished gentleman and Ed and I both admired him.
You are blessed Marianne to have had so fine a man in you life for so many years.

I love you,
Joan

We were so sorry to hear of Stu's passing.  He was a sweet person--always so positive, helpful, and interested in how others were doing.  He loved his family and his church.  He was our neighbor in two different neighborhoods for over 40 years and our church friend for over 20 years. His megawatt smile greeted you and his handshake always welcomed you, and you knew Stu was happy to see you.  While we are sad he is gone from this earthly life, we know he is resting comfortably with our dear Lord and Savior. Our prayers are with Marianne, Bill, and Jennifer.

Stu was one of the first, if not the first, to greet us when we first visited Prince of Peace in 2014.  He made us feel welcome and at home.  After we joined, he always continued to greet us with handshakes, hugs, and positive words of encouragement.  He shared information about the surrounding area with us, and always offered to help us in any way he could.  We are very sad that, because of the pandemic, we did not get to see him again after early March last year.  Our prayers are with Marianne, Bill, and Jennifer, as well as his brother Steven and his family.  May God give them comfort in the salvation of Jesus Christ that Stu and they shared with others, and in the coming resurrection when we will all be at home with God.

We were so sorry to hear about Stu's passing.  We did get to speak with him a couple of weeks ago and he was just as pleasant as always.  Such a wonderful God fearing man.  He always had a smile on his face and a kind word. He was always there with us at VBS, spreading Gods word and helping with everything in the church. He will be sorely missed. May God grant all of you peace and comfort. Hold close all the good memories .  Please let us know if we can assist in anyway.   With all our love and prayers.
Jerry and Sandra Balkcom and family

The Toedt and Tanner families will dearly miss Stu Drake. My parents, Gretel and Klaus Toedt, my brother Michael, and myself were  welcomed to Prince of Peace in the summer of 1979. We were happy to know Stu and his family when they joined in the early 1980's. Klaus always spoke highly of Stu’s warm handshake. As an Elder Stu assisted in training both Denise and Michael to be Acolytes, and mentored our Confirmation classes. 

“ Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust , and not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.”
- Isaiah 12:2

It’s funny how I met “Stu”. I was in elementary school at the time.  I took piano lessons from Marianne    I was maybe 10 years old at the time.   As faith would have it it, I served with Mr Drake many years later in the Army National Guard. Great and loyal person.  Just a great person all round. He’s truly going be missed.  I pray for God to comfort his family during this time. 
Judy

Marianne, Bill and Jennifer- thank you for sharing Stu with us. Our prayers and thoughts are with y’all. 

Stubes;
You were everyone’s best friend who demonstrated loyalty and the best example of being a Christian that this heathen ever saw. You made everything and everyone better by being there.  You’re stories of serving in Vietnam, growing up in Orlando pre-Disney, the tales of your teacher who said “cross my heart and hope to spit green ink” that you made your own—the news clipping you kept where your beloved UCF KNIGHTS beat Alabama are an indelible part of my memories; you’re enthusiastic approach to everything— our TDY pizza and margarita  social hours with all our military brethren and sisters, your instruction in my desk top drumming —the way you performed your duties and made everything easier for our units—your allegiance to God, Family and Country that was so prevalent in you that it set a perfect example
For all of us—there are just too many wonderful memories of one of the best and blessed friend you were to all of us. I am grateful that I was able to have you
For a friend, mentor, comrade, big brother from whom my life was so positively affected—and I know this to be true for everyone that ever was in your presence for just a little while! We will miss you
But remain thankful that the Lord placed you in our path. I love you Stuby-doo. Cross my heart and hope to spit green ink. 

The staff of Whitley-Garner at Rosehaven Funeral Home and Memorial Park would like to extend our most sincere condolence to the Drake Family. We would like to thank you for entrusting the care of your loved one into our hands. Please remember you are not alone and we will always be here for you.

Stu and I enjoyed being "birthday buddies" and laughed every year when that date  rolled around again.  He was a true Christian gentleman in every sense of the word.  He showed his love for the Lord and was a faithful servant at our church.  He will be so sorely missed!!  Rest in peace our dear, sweet Stu. 


















I remember when I first walked into Prince of Peace.  There was Stu to make a stranger feel welcomed.  Stu truly loved our Lord  and his live was reflected in everything he did.  I’ve missed Stu over these past months. I’d drop him a text every week or so as I missed him.  He was always upbeat when I knew he was growing tired of the fight.  I feel blessed for knowing Stu, even if it was only for a few years.   Condolences to  Marianne and the family.  You’re in my prayers.

My deepest sympathy goes out to you!!!
I will never forget Stu!! I have so many memories of him and his Beautiful Family that will always be dear to my heart. 
Prince of Peace was our extended family and he and his family were part of ours!!!
Rest In Peace till we meet again Stu!!! 
I love You ALL!!!🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻

“God is our refuge and strength,
 an ever-present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1
My prayers are with  all of Stu’s family,

OBITUARY

Thomas Stuart Drake

December 3, 1946 – August 18, 2021

Whitley Garner At Rosehaven Funeral Home & Rose Haven Cemetery

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