Dennis R. Ray Drake

Dennis R. Drake died suddenly July 13, 2020. He leaves behind the love of his life, Mary Grace, his brother, nieces and nephews, his dog, cousins, extended family and cherished friends.

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Determined to live each day as if it was his last, he was a happy and creative man that often said life is a gift. He expressed that it is up to each of us to make our time on Earth meaningful. He lived so that his life in all its joy, mystery, and glory was worth showing up on this planet and being honest to the end. He was a loving man, brilliant and strong.

He valued great wine, good food, Jazz, and all of the amazing guitar masters. Dennis was passionate about sports, most especially baseball and basketball. He spent the best of times camping and traveling with friends, driving up the coast, in the mountains and canyons of primitive country. His friends were his family.

Indeed a man of many parts, Dennis could do the TIMES crossword puzzle in 5 minutes. He served in the Navy, loved live stage shows and concerts in Las Vegas and theater at PMT. A master carpenter and craftsman; just a few of his summer projects included designing and building a Morris chair, re-roofing an apartment building and a bungalow, adding a deck to his home on Michigan Ave.

He was filled with enormous humanity, a love of the world and all it had to offer. He felt a kinship with all life. Conversing with him brought one's soul into into existence. He read extensively to discover and extend his vast knowledge of history, philosophy and sports. He hit home runs playing softball with sixth grade students during the last school day of each year. He skied (his passion) at Alta on Albion until two years ago at the age of 68.

Graduating from University of Utah after changing Take advantage of all life has to offer. It's a miracle we even exist. his major from philosophy to English, to education, Dennis taught PreK, K, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades over the span of twenty seven years. His brilliance was working with children to help them discover and enrich their inner passion for learning. He performed heroic-teaching feats every day influencing the lives of countless young people. Dennis ended his teaching career at his beloved Wood Stock Elementary School. His philosophy as a teacher was: "Take them from where they are to where they ain't." Many of his fellow teachers and principals remember that he was also a fantastic practical joker.

Dennis bargained in good faith with his destiny and was always screamingly funny and adorable on that account.

His was a life well lived.

LET YOUR BOAT OF LIFE...BE LIGHT

Packed with ONLY what you need

A homely Home and SIMPLE pleasures

Someone to LOVE and SOMEONE TO LOVE YOU

A CAT, A DOG and a pipe or two

With ENOUGH to EAT and to WEAR

And a little more than

ENOUGH to DRINK

For THIRST is a DANGEROUS THING

A celebration of the life of Dennis R. Drake will be held in the near future.