Drake, Dave Earl September 6, 1947 - January 31, 2025

David Earl Drake was born September 6, 1947, in Appleton City, Missouri to Donald and Margaret (Curly) Drake. He grew up in Osceola and only ventured out a couple of times, just to realize he belonged in his hometown.

Dave went to Osceola High School and graduated from there. He was married for a short while and to that marriage he had his daughter Amanda Drake.

Dave met and married the love of his life Linda on October 17, 1977, on a Butterfield wagon train and to that marriage he gained a son Robert Raymond. Three years later Lee Drake was born to complete their family.

Dave enjoyed breaking horses and just going on trail rides. He worked at Tracker in Clinton, Missouri for 25 plus years. He loved spending his free time working on the farm at Randy Sheldon’s, and Lowry Belisle’s. Dave enjoyed going to the races, rabbit hunting, with his clan, deer hunting, turkey hunting with his brother-in-law Bill, watching his grandkids and friends snag and telling tale tails. When his health took a turn for the worst, you could find him sitting on the front porch waving at everyone who drove by and in the process he made new friends.

Dave loved a lot of things in life but his family was the most important thing to him, and he always made sure to let them know. Dave passed away on January 31, 2025, at Mercy hospital with his family by his side.

He will be greatly missed by everyone and has left a lasting impression on everyone he met. He will forever live on through his friends and family.

He is survived by his wife Linda Drake, two sons: Lee (Jennifer) Drake, Robert (Dana) Raymond, grandkids: Jeffrey Raymond, Raven Drake, David Drake, Ashley Roberts, and great grand-daughter Sydnee. Two brothers: Donnie and Jim Drake, sister Mary (Wayne) Hyde, three sisters-in-law: Wanda  (Bill) Frain, Kathy (Kenny) Miller, Dorothy (Richard) Powell, brothers-in-law Dale (Carolynn) Jones, and Louie (Carla) Jones, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Donald and Margaret (Curly) Drake, brothers-in-law: John King, Butch Jones, and Charles Jones, his daughter Amanda Drake, grandparents: Clyde and Edna Beardslee and Clarence and Mary Drake, along with many other family members and friends.