More detail on this person: Col. (Ret) James
Maurice Drake II: Funeral to include helicopter
flyover, 21 gun salute
A funeral for retired Col. Jim Drake of the
Kentucky National Guard Monday will include a 21
gun salute and a three helicopter flyover.
According to Walter Leaumont, Kentucky National
Guard Public Affairs officer, the funeral will be
at noon. The helicopters will fly over and the
shots will be fired between 1 and 1:30 p.m.
Jim is survived by his wife of 33 years, Ruth
Eaton Drake; his children, James M. Drake III of
Berea, Ky., Jay (Rita) Drake of Richmond, Ky.,
Alicia (Stan) Riley of Frankfort, Ky., and
Ashleigh (Mark) Kennedy of Lawrenceburg, Ky.;
six grandchildren, Caleb and Wyatt Kennedy;
Nicholas, Ethan and Gavin Riley; Shayla Allen, and
his beloved dog, Woodee; two brothers, Jerry
(Anita) Drake of Phoenix, Ariz., and Tom Drake of
Ossian, Ind.; and several cousins, nieces and
nephews.
Jim attended Eastern Kentucky University where he
enrolled in the Army ROTC program and was
heavily involved in Pershing Rifles. He completed
his education at EKU in 1969 as a Distinguished
Military Graduate and was commissioned a Second
Lieutenant in the US Army. He served proudly on
active duty for nearly ten years. His service took
him to Vietnam as a helicopter pilot.
He served in various stateside duty stations
including Fort Knox, Fort Sill, and Fort Lewis.
Jim discovered an opportunity to serve his nation
as well as the Commonwealth and joined the
Kentucky National Guard in 1978. He served in
numerous assignments in both Field Artillery and
Aviation branches.
His last assignment was on the Adjutant General's
staff as the Director of Personnel. Col. Drake
retired on April 30, 1995, with more than 26 years
of military service.
His numerous awards and decorations included the
Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious
Service Medal, Master Army Aviator Badge, Air
Assault Badge, Ranger Tab and Vietnam Campaign
Medal.
Jim loved music. In particular he enjoyed brass
bands and American March music. He was quite an
accomplished tuba player.
Arrangements are under the direction of LeCompte
Johnson Taylor Funeral Home, 1725 Louisville
Road, Frankfort, KY 40601. Visitation will be at
the funeral home on Sunday, June 12, from 1-4 p.m.
(EST) for family and friends. The funeral will be
held at First United Methodist Church, 211
Washington St., Frankfort, KY 40601 on Monday,
June 13. Visitation will be from noon (EST)-1 p.m.
(EST) at the church with funeral to follow at 1
p.m. (EST).
Col. Drake will be interred at Kentucky Veterans
Cemetery Central in Radcliff, Ky., at a time to be
determined.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be MG (Ret)
Michael Davidson, COL (Ret) Roger Green, COL
(Ret) Cleland White, MAJ (Ret) Marty Pinkston,
Greg Strange, Bobby Courtney, Denny Tigges and
Charles Smith.
Expressions of sympathy can be made to Kentucky
National Guard Memorial, PO Box 5466, Frankfort,
KY 40602-5466 or United Methodist Church, 211
Washington Street, Frankfort, KY 40601.
You may share memories and leave condolences
on his tribute wall at www.ljtfuneralhome.com
Source: http://m.state-journal.com
This information was last updated 06/12/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/11/2023
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