James "Jim" R. Drake's Obituary
DRAKE, James “Jim” R., age 73, of Harveysburg, passed away Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Kettering Health Miamisburg.
Jim graduated from Clinton Massie High School, class of ’72. He retired from the City of Centerville Public Works after 20 years of service. Faith was very important to him. He was a member of both St. Augustine Catholic Church in Waynesville and St. Columbkille Catholic Church in Wilmington.
Simple and quiet, Jim loved the great outdoors. He had a passion for fishing and hunting, and had a special affinity for hunting pheasant and quail with his brothers, son, and grandson. Jim even trained two German Shorthaired Pointers, Buddy and Laddy, to join him in the fields pointing and flushing upland birds. On occasion, he even contributed a pheasant or two to the family Thanksgiving dinner.
Every summer, he looked forward to tending a large garden full of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and green onions. Later in life, he found great joy in riding a bicycle, and in 2020 received his first brand-new bike. He rode his bike all over Harveysburg, often riding five to six miles a day.
With a genuine spirit, what you saw is what you got with Jim. He was extremely family-oriented, adored his wife, and loved his kids and grandkids. He would do anything for them. When his kids were young, they had a tradition of going camping using tents or a pop-up camper. As his kids grew up and had their own children, Jim would read The Night Before Christmas to the grandchildren every Christmas Eve. Each holiday was a chance to spend time together as a family. Jim will be remembered for the pride and love he had for his family, and how important they were to him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Mary Ann Drake, and three brothers, Bob Drake, Dave (Sandy) Drake, and Tom Drake. He is survived by his loving wife of almost 49 years, Donna; one son, Matt (Lindsay) Drake; two daughters, Amanda Harrison and April Cross; five grandchildren, Connor, Jacob, Lauren, Christian, and Garrett; four brothers, Steve Drake, Dan (Cindy) Drake, Patrick (Bonnie) Drake, and Tim (Jennifer) Drake; three sisters, Julie (Kenny) Watkins, Rebecca (John) Lephart, and Annie Romohr; and two sisters-in-law, Brenda Drake and Debby Drake.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 am Thursday, February 27, 2025 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Waynesville. Father Tom Mannebach will be officiating. Burial will be at New Burlington Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 pm to 8 pm on Wednesday, February 26 at Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville. If desired, contributions may be made to Ohio Valley Hospice of Beavercreek. Condolences are at www.stubbsconner.com.
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