Clyde Lafate Drake, 88, of Silsbee, died Wednesday, September 21, 2016.  He was born on March 9, 1928, in Silsbee, to Thelma Hatcher Drake and George A. Drake.  Clyde served his country in the United States Army and later retired from Exxon Mobil. 

Clyde was known for his tomatoes and was often called the “Tomato Man”.  He was a fifty plus year member of the Silsbee Masonic Lodge #927, A.F. & A.M. and the Silsbee Order of the Eastern Star, #298.

Survivors include his wife, Jean Drake; daughter, Billie Sanders and her husband, Louis, of Silsbee; stepchildren, Mike Jones and his wife, Lesie, of Kountze; and Larry Jones; Kenny Jones and his wife, Penny; and Linda Pickard and her husband, Keith, of Silsbee; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and step-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dorothy Jean Drake; sons, Wayne Drake and Gary Drake; two grandchildren; and brother, Herbert Drake.

A gathering of Clyde’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, September 23, 2016, at Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee.  His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 24, 2016, at Broussard’s, with his interment to follow at Tanton Cemetery, Silsbee.