PFC David Drake

He was born October 7, 1989, in Houston, to Tommye Ann Clark and William David Drake, and had been a resident of Lumberton most of his life. David graduated from Lumberton High School in 2008. After graduation, he attended Lamar Institute of Technology for one year receiving his certificate for  Fire Protection Technology before joining the United States Army. 

While in the Army, David received numerous awards including the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, and the Combat Action Badge.

He was a kind, compassionate person always willing to help anyone in need. David enjoyed all sports but most of all he loved football. 

PFC David Drake is greatly loved by his family and will be missed by all.

He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Tommye Ann and Steve Rivers of Lumberton; father, W. David Drake of Castle Rock, Colorado; brother, PFC William Terence Drake of Lumberton; sister, Tori Drake of Lumberton; grandparents, Sissy and Herbert Clark of Beaumont; uncles, Mark Clark of Beaumont; Glenn Clark and his wife, Rachel of Lumberton; Dean Brevell and his wife, Tracee of Blue Eye, Missouri; and Larry Drake of Castle Rock, Colorado; aunts, Arlene Woodall and her husband, Danny of Port Neches; Debra Lawrence and her husband, Steve of Castle Rock, Colorado; and Kim Wilkes of Missouri; and numerous cousins.

His funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 11, 2011, at Victory Temple Assembly of God Church, 2630 South 11th Street, Beaumont. Interment with full Military Honors will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.  A gathering of his family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Monday, October 10, 2011, at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Soldier’s Angels, 1792 Washington Boulevard, Pasadena, California 91104, or you may make a contribution online at www.soldiersangels.org.

David was due 12-6-89 but he thought that was just too long to wait so he entered this world Oct 7, 1989 at 6:50pm.   He weighed 4lb, 3oz and was 17 ½ inches long.  He was a healthy preemie.  He came into this world a fighter and died a fighter. 

He was a great big brother.  He loved Terence and Tori so very much.  When David was a year old and Terence was 2 months, he would just sit and watch, give him kisses and love him.  One day I put David on the floor next to Terence, who was in his car seat that would rock.  David rocked Terence and it was a bit too fast for Terence’s liking.  Terence moved his arm towards David and he immediately sat back and just looked at him, in shock, as he moved.  I wish I had had a camera. 

He was so loving.  When he first started talking he called Terence, Ter-Ter.  It was so sweet.  As they grew, when they had fights it would consist of “you’re not going to be my friend anymore” but of course, five minutes later they didn’t even remember they were mad at each other.

David, also, loved Tori very much.  For Tori’s 16th birthday, October 16th, he was planning to give her his little green pick-up truck.  That had been his first truck and he wanted her to enjoy it as much as he had.

Their granddad had taught them how to ride bicycles.  You would, often, catch granddad riding down the streets, of the South Park area, with two little boys riding in front of him.  He would take them riding every day.  My friends would comment on how little they were, but that they didn’t need training wheels.  They loved riding with their granddad.

David enjoyed sports, especially football.  He played football throughout middle school and one year of high school.

He would help anyone.  One young lady told me that if David hadn’t helped her with her algebra, she wouldn’t have passed. He was so very giving and generous.

He was a genuine friend.  He loved his friends, they weren’t just “friends” they were family.  He was never ashamed to give me hug, a kiss or to tell me that he loved me, even in front of his friends or anyone.  Of course his friends did the same to me all the time.

 He was kind, polite and considerate, most of the time.  Only when he was playing his X-Box did consideration stop being his strong suit.  He loved his internet and other games. He would yell and give orders with others while online gaming with them and it was quite funny to see and hear all of this, unless you were trying to sleep.

He was such a joy to be around.  He hated to argue, though he did occasionally.  He wasn’t a perfect person but he was close to being a perfect son to me.

I love you David, You are, and always will be, in my heart.