James Drake

Jim Drake was a man who devoted his life to serving his country, his community, and his family, and a man of uncommon character. He was a career Navy man, community leader, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. More than anything, Jim was a good man with a good life, and an example to all who knew him. Jims story began on a hot summer day in 1929, in the little farming community of Nunica, Michigan. Those were blessedly peaceful times in this country, the calm before the terrible storm of the Great Depression, which would affect every American family so deeply. Yet that August, Americans went about their days unaware of what was to come that September. On August 25, 1929, Vern and Mary (VanHaver) Drake celebrated the birth of a baby boy at their home, a son they named James. Jim joined his eight siblings on the large family farm, with his older siblings Iva, Julia, Bill, Alice, and Nig, and little siblings Jerry, Marge and Chuck. Jims dad was a hardworking farmer, while his mother cared for the family and the home. Growing up on the farm, there was always plenty of work to be done, and especially during the tough times of the Great Depression and the 1930s, Jim learned the meaning of hard work and duty. Jim attended Nunica Elementary, and eventually went off to Coopersville High School, where the strapping young farm boy became a standout performer on the football team. Jim also came of age during the terrible times of World War II, and watched anxiously as his big brothers Bill and Nig went off to war. Jim was born a few years too late to become involved, or he certainly would have joined the fight, as well. After he graduated from Coopersville High in 1947, Jim immediately went out and enlisted in the United States Navy, which wasnt as easy as it sounds. Jim was color blind, so he had to memorize the chart so he could pass the test! Once he was in, Jim knew he had found the right place. After several different duty assignments he was home for shore leave in the summer of 1952. While he was home that summer, Jims sister Marge introduced him to a beautiful young woman named Joan Johnson, setting him up on an eye opening blind date! They went to a drive in movie with Marge and another one of their friends, and it was love at first sight for Jim and Joan The two dated through heartfelt letters over the next six months, and were married on December 27, 1952, the greatest Christmas present they could ask for. Jim was 23, and Joanie was 19, and they embarked on a beautiful life together. Soon after, he found himself aboard the USS New Jersey in the middle of the Korean War. They settled in California for a time, where Jim was stationed, and it wasnt long before the newlyweds became parents, too. They celebrated the birth of their first child, their daughter Janet, in 1953, followed by Julie in 1955, Jo Ellen in 57, Jim in 59, Jeff in 60, and Joe rounded out the happy family in 1962. The family moved around quite a bit over the years, as Jim continued his career in the Navy. They packed up and moved to a different base every four years, with plenty of different homes and schools for the kids. Joan was a wonderfully supportive Navy wife, who raised the kids on her own much of the time, when Jim was gone for sea duty. Jim rose through the ranks well over the years, as his intelligence, character and leadership shone through. He worked his way up from a Seaman recruit all the way to Lt. Commander, quite a lofty position. Jim retired from the Navy on December 31, 1968, after 22 years of dedicated service. Jim and his family moved to Joans parents home and farm in Ravenna, Michigan, where Jim began raising 90 head of Guernsey cattle. He threw himself into his new farming life, and joined the American Guernsey Cattle Club, as well as a variety of agricultural and soil conservation boards. Eventually, Jim developed some heart trouble, and had to quit farming. He didnt want to leave the farming and cattle industry, however, so he became a field representative technician for the Dairy Herd Improvement Association. Jim was a born leader, as well, and eventually ran for public office, winning the Ravenna Township Supervisors position. Jim was elected to two four-year terms over the years, proudly serving his community for eight years. He was a beloved figure in his community, a big man with a big smile, always chewing on his pipe (which he rarely smoked). Jim loved politics, and was a staunch, lifelong Republican. He loved to debate the issues with people, and was a very intelligent and informed person. He loved to tease people and pick a verbal sparring match, too! He was a very good-natured man, though, and always did it in jest. Jim was a very fun, social man, a good listener and as honest as the day is long. Jim suffered several strokes in his late 50s, and retired for good at the age of 60. He had plenty to keep him busy, especially the 1-acre garden he enjoyed working in. He loved to grow things, and shared his vegetables with everyone around him. He also enjoyed fishing, and going for a cup of coffee or some tapioca pudding. Jim was very close with his brothers and sisters, too, and did much with his entire extended family over the years. He lost both his parents in the mid-1950s, and later lost his brothers Jerry, Bill, Nig Chuck, and his sister Alice. Jim especially loved to have his grandkids visit, who he couldnt have been prouder of. In a lifetime so full of successes, his family was always Jims proudest achievement. Sadly, on February 23, 2008, it was discovered Jim had renal failure. He was then diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, and his health rapidly declined. Jim sadly died on March 25, 2008 at Kent Community Hospital, at the age of 78. Jim was a wonderful man, who lived a wonderful life, a life so full of successes. He was a man who devoted his life to serving his country, his community, and his family, as a veteran and leader, and a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. Jim was a good man with a good life, and an example to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed. Jim is survived by his wife, Joan; 3 daughters, Janet ( Jim ) Johnson of Ravenna, Julie ( Larry ) Chapin of Portland, MI & Jo Ellen ( Doug Leep ) Meerman of Conklin; 3 sons, James (Karen) Drake of TX, Jeffrey (Cyndie) Drake of Coopersville & Joseph (Jean) Drake of CT; 21 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters, Iva Snow of Fruitport, Julia Hentschel of Fruitport & Marge (Don) VanderLaan of Jenison, MI & several nieces & nephews. Preceded in death by a son-in-law, Jeff Meerman Sr., great grandson, Dakota Noel, 4 brothers, Bill, Nig, Jerry & Chuck & 1 sister, Alice Stevens. Services are scheduled for Tuesday, April 1, 2008, 11:00 AM at St. Michaels Catholic Church of Coopersville with Father Tony Pelak & Father Mark Bauer officiating. Interment at St Michaels Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for Monday, 2-4 PM & 6-8 PM with a Rosary service at 7:30 PM at St. Michaels Catholic Church of Coopersville. Memorial donations may be made to St. Michaels Catholic Church. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or photo of Jim, or to sign the online guestbook.