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- [S927] Obituary.
Daniel E. Drake
Posted 2010-10-01 by Pat R ::
Durango (CO) Herald
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Former Durango resident Daniel E Drake died after an extended battle with emphysema in Phoenix on Thursday, Feb 5, 2009. He was 86.
Mr Drake was born to Lewis Ward and Katharine Eckart Drake in Los Angeles on April 23, 1922.
He attended California Maritime Academy, which was located at the time in San Francisco. After Pearl Harbor was bombed in 1941, he served as first mate in the Merchant Marines on ships running the Pacific mail.
After the war, Mr Drake moved to Wickenburg, Ariz., where he worked at a guest ranch in the heyday of that type of vacation venue. While there, he met his future wife, Alma "Mike" Limpert, who worked at a neighboring ranch.
The couple married in Wickenburg on Feb 23, 1952.
Mr. Drake took a job with Arizona Public Service. The company moved him to Phoenix and then to Yuma, where he lived for 40 years. He was an engineer for most of his career and then worked as a journeyman mechanic at the power plant.
After retiring, the Drakes spent summers in Durango from 1988 to 1995. After his wife's retirement, the Drakes moved to Payson, Ariz. When the altitude became to difficult for Mr Drake in 2006, they returned to Phoenix.
"Dan was a creative person, never happier than when puttering in his workshop," his family wrote. "He helped build a church, helped friends and relatives with remodeling projects and built beautiful furniture."
He also created award-winning works of art in several types of media.
Mr. Drake is survived by his wife of nearly 57 years, Alma "Mike" Drake of Phoenix; daughters Rita Drake of Phoenix and Mary Kay Drake of Las Vegas; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Mr Drake requested that there be no services. Burial arrangements were made through the Neptune Society.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E Flower St, Phoenix, AZ 85014, or the charity of your choice.
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1922 - 2009 (86 years)