Born in Oglethorpe County, he was the son of the late Lonnie and Mollie Wheeler Drake and was preceded in death by two sisters, Sallie Coile and Lucille Allen, and one brother, Charlie Drake.
He was owner and operator of Drake Painting for over 40 years. He was an active member and Deacon of Oconee Heights Baptist Church. He enjoyed visiting Whitehall Baptist Church, the church of his youth and always held a special place in his heart for the church and the people.
He was a veteran of the United States Navy, having served during World War II.
Jim enjoyed life to the fullest never meeting a stranger. An avid sports fan, he loved the Bulldogs and the Braves. He was a baseball and softball coach in Athens for many years.
Those left behind to cherish his memory include his wife of 66 years, Jeanette Teat Drake; 2 daughters, Donna Meeler and husband, Jimmy and Dawn Butler-Peterson and husband, Robert; six grandchildren, Angela Rogers, Brandi Austin (Jason), Jill Legg (Travis), Jenna Mauldin (Tim), Jacob “Jake” Butler, and Samuel Drake Peterson; eight great-grandchildren, Hayden Drake Rogers, Chandler Austin, Cody Legg, Braxton Legg, Dawson Legg, Dylan Legg, Taylor Mauldin, and Katelyn Mauldin, and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Jimmy Hembree, Grady Tolbert, Charles Lord, Jeff Lewis, Lanier Patridge, and Jimmy Smith.
Funeral services will be held 2PM Friday, November 23rd in the chapel at Bernstein Funeral Home with Rev Rob Bailey and Rev Buford Lockman officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-8PM Wednesday, November 21st at Bernstein.
An amazing, loving, kind, and generous husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and unforgettable father-in-law. We will miss him all the days of our lives.
Special thanks to Odyssey Healthcare.
Online condolences may be offered at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com
Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18