Mr. Robert A. Drake

Robert A. (Bob) Drake, 74, of Henderson passed from this life March 9, 2014. He was born November 21, 1939 in Sweetwater, Texas to the late William A. Drake and Evelyn (Spears) Drake. Bob grew up in Lufkin and was a stand-out basketball player for Lufkin High School and after graduating went on to play for the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks. While attending SFA he met the love of his life and best friend Nancy (Craig) Drake. They were married June 30, 1961 and shared 52 wonderful years together. After graduating SFA they moved to Tyler where Bob started his long and successful career in the business world with Kelly Springfield Tire. While they lived in Tyler their son Robert Craig Drake was born. They then moved to Longview where he worked as an accountant for Schlitz Brewing and was with them for 15 years moving around the United States. He then became General Manager for Southwest Canning in Nacogdoches for 15 years. After moving to Henderson he was employed as accountant for Panel Truss. He was always a very loyal employee for whatever company he was with. He is remembered as a man with great principles, friendliness, and one of the best sense of humors ever. His ability to work with people was unequaled. He was preceded in death by his father, William A. Drake, father and mother-in-law Joe B. and Mattie Craig, and brother-in-law Joe Davis. Left to cherish his memory is wife Nancy (Craig) Drake, son Robert Craig Drake and wife Melissa of Mansfield, Texas and four of his greatest joys his grandchildren Samantha Keller of Ft. Worth, Taylor Drake, Chandler Drake, and Austin Drake, his mother Evelyn Drake of Henderson, sister Doris (Billie) Davis of Arlington and aunt Doris Bell of Lufkin; also, brother-in-law Joe F. Craig and wife Pat of Henderson, sister-in-law Linda (Craig) Culp of Tyler, and Mollie (Craig) Hale and husband Ken of Henderson, and many nieces and nephews. Honorary pallbearers are Bill Leath, Frank Ashcroft, Larry Williams, Stanley Hayes, Joe Frank Craig, and Ken Hale. Memorial services for Mr. Drake will be held at 2 pm on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at First United Methodist Church with Rev. David Luckert officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the parlor at the church. The family requests memorials be made in lieu of flowers to: First United Methodist Church at 204 N. Marshall, Henderson, TX, or MD Anderson Cancer Foundation at 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordacrim.com.

Mr. Robert A. Drake

November 21, 1939 - March 9, 2014