Obituary of Harley L Drake

Harley L. Drake went to his heavenly home on June 2, 2022, in Spring Hill, Florida. He was born on January 28, 1937, in Plymouth, Indiana on his grandparents Ben and Dollie Drake’s farm. He leaves to cherish his memory Billie, his wife of sixty years, daughter Elizabeth Drake, two grandchildren, Drake and Anya, brother Chuck Drake (wife Colleen), sister Barbara Kehoe, and nieces and nephews who will always hold so many memories in their hearts. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Della Drake, sister-in-law Shirley Drake, and brother-in-law Fred Kehoe. Harley was educated in Plymouth at Washington Elementary and then graduated from Lincoln High School in 1955. He was an outstanding athlete and won varsity letters in football, basketball, and golf. While in high school, he set a course record of 65 at the Plymouth Country Club golf course. He played in many junior golf events, even traveling to compete in New Mexico. Harley and his dad Walter Drake won the father-son tournament for the state of Indiana. He received a scholarship to play golf at Purdue University and was a leader in the Big Ten Conference. Upon graduation from Purdue, he joined the U.S. Army where he met his wife Billie. He graduated from the Army flight school and played on the All-Army Golf Team. An inner ear problem cut short his flying career and he left the Army. Harley began his golf career as an assistant pro in the Fort Wayne area. He then became the head golf pro at the Plymouth Country Club. After working there for several years, he became the head pro at the Elks Golf Course in Fort Wayne. Upon leaving the golf career, he owned and operated a coffee business in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After his retirement, he lived for a short time in Indiana and then moved to Spring Hill, Florida. Harley was known for his easy going nature, some orneriness and shenanigans, but always a ready smile. He was a friend to all. His jokes and big laugh were a part of his memorable personality. An infectious laugh that made everyone’s day better. When his great-nephews were small, they called him "the laughing uncle" and joined him in cheering for his lottery scratch-offs to win “big money!” In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Harley’s name be made to The American Heart Association, https://www.heart.org/