Ronald Wayne Drake
October 24, 1944 – February 10, 2022
Ronald Wayne Drake, affectionately known as “Ron”, “Ronnie,” “Lover boy,” “Daddy,” and “Papaw,” completed his earthly journey Thursday, February 10, 2022.
Ron was born October 24, 1944 in Coffeyville, Kansas to Raymond and Lois Drake. He graduated from Wann High School, received a Business Management degree from Rogers Junior College, and served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. Ron was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota then deployed to Guam. He served as an Aircraft Mechanic during his enlistment with the USAF.
This experience was valuable as it helped land his dream job at American Airlines! Ron was successful at American Airlines, receiving many awards and honors, while climbing the corporate ladder in his 36 years of employment. He started as an electrical cockpit mechanic, worked in the seat shop as well as the plating shop, before finally retiring as a supervisor of an entire department.
During Ron’s employment at American Airlines he crossed paths with Paul Brumley. This was the first step to a 50 year love story unlike many others. Ron married Paul’s daughter, Donna, on February 20, 1971. They were a power couple rooted in God’s love and wisdom, and in the love of each other. They raised 2 children, David and Rebecca (Becky), in that same love and always showed respect to one another. They walked in a unity most do not understand. Ron and Donna had a prayer life that was never ceasing, just like the Bible says. This led Ron to become an ordained minister and travel on various mission trips. He was the Oklahoma State Prayer Coordinator with Donna in Aglow International and an intercessory prayer warrior with the Men of Issachar. These amazing organizations took them to the Holy Land where Ron had 2 encounters with God. Ron loved God and traveling! He and Donna traveled all over the world on vacations: Europe, Canada, all over the United States, cruised the Mediterranean Sea, the Caribbean Sea, and his all-time favorite the Alaskan Cruise!
In his remaining free time, Ron loved all things outdoors! He loved to garden, graft trees, boat, fish, and hunt. Oh, the stories he would tell about fishing and hunting…never telling a lie but maybe adding a little here and there to liven things up a bit!
Ron was always willing to teach his kids, nieces, nephews, and grandkids everything about car maintenance, gun safety, shooting, fishing, the Bible, and anything else they wanted to know or he thought they should know. He loved and supported both David and Becky in all of their endeavors and always said they busted his buttons. Then the 6 grandchildren came along and he had to move to sweatshirts because he lost all of his buttons!
Ron was full of integrity and devotion. He was a kind-hearted man that knew what he wanted in life and never wavered. He loved God, his wife, siblings, children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Ron is preceded in death by his dad and mom; sister Patricia Spears; father-in-law; mother-in-law; and 3 brothers-in-law. He is survived by his wife, Donna Drake; son, David Drake and his wife Misty; daughter, Becky Scott and her husband Bob; grandkids, Alec Hutton, Hailey Jordan, Zacary Scott, Paige Scott, Hunter Drake, and Hanna Drake; sisters, Janet Dome, Nancy George, Brenda Douglas, Debbi Oestmann; brother, Monty Drake; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 1-5 p.m., Sunday, February 13th at Matthews Funeral Home with family greeting friends. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at Spring Creek Assembly of God Church. Interment will be held at 3:30 p.m. at Box Cemetery in Vian, OK.
I am not your sister. You are the worst thing that ever happened to me. All those nice things they wrote in your obit…Is a LIE!