Ronald Eugene Drake

RONALD EUGENE DRAKE

01/16/1943 – 12/10/2020

Ron, the youngest of four children born to Francis & Agnes Drake in Tucumcari, NM on January 16, 1943, has passed away at the age of 77 from dementia.

Ron’s family moved to California when he was in middle school.  He attended Bonita High School and then joined the Air Force on July 4, 1961.  He served 4 years attaining the rank of Airman 1^st Class.  He was a Vietnam Veteran and was proud to have served his country.

In 1964 he met a friend’s cousin, Kay Meyer, at a party.  In November, 1965, they were married.  That marriage lasted until his death, 55 years.  They have one son, Dave.

Ron was a talker, loved telling stories of his childhood and his truck driving days, he never met a stranger.  He worked with his Dad as a semi-truck driver until he got a job with Metropolitan Water District in 1976.  He was in charge of their chlorine transferring station in Perris, CA and later in his career operated heavy equipment at the Lake Skinner facility.  He was a Past Master of the now defunct Victoria Palms Masonic Lodge in Riverside, CA.

He loved trucks, Harleys, camping, but most of all, his family.  His son, Dave, and granddaughters, Amber and Allee, were his pride and joy.  He was so proud of how smart and what good, hard working people they all are.

Ron leaves behind his wife, Kay; son, Dave; granddaughter, Amber (Jerrad) Mansfield; granddaughter, Allee; brother, Russell; brother-in-law and wife, Dave & Wendy Meyer; special cousins, Sherri & Mike Randall; numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins scattered across the country.

No public services are planned.  His ashes will be interred at Valley View Cemetery next to his daughter-in-law, Karen, who passed away in 2007.  Our thanks to Hospice of the Pines, John and Mackenzie, and to the Valley View Hospice Care workers who made his last days comfortable and serene.  Donations to Valley View Hospice Care, 421 N. Willard St., Cottonwood, AZ 86326, would be used to help care for their next hospice patient.