Rodney A. Drake, 69

Rodney A. Drake, 69, of Kalispell, and Monterey, Calif., passed away Sunday, May 29, 2005, in Brendan House in Kalispell.

He was born April 7, 1936, in Monterey, Calif., to Issac C. Drake and Lottie (Ballard) Drake. He was one of eight children that grew up in a very close and loving home. He attended schools and spent all his working years in Monterey.

He was a certified welder/wrought iron worker. He was very talented and designed and constructed many beautiful projects in Carmel, Pebble Beach and on the Monterey Peninsula.

He enjoyed fishing trips with his brothers and cousins, golfing and race cars. Later in life he loved to reminisce about all the great time he had.

When he married Lauralee Mitton he gained a stepdaughter and grandchildren that he loved so much and was so good to. He will be truly missed by his family and many friends. He was an honest and very caring man.

Rodney was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Virginia; his beloved son Rodney Allan Drake; cousin Jack Baldy; and nephews Charles and Jan Drake.

He is survived by his wife, Lauralee, of Kalispell; one stepdaughter, Linda Lee Brown, of Kalispell; grandchildren Dalton, Carlee and Morgan Hill and Jenny Brown; three brothers, Clayton Drake of Monterey, Merle Drake of Weiser, Idaho, and Donald Drake of Bernie, Calif.; four sisters, Margaret Humes and Mae Gipson both of California, Hilda Taylor of Reno, Nev., and Dee Sloan of Las Vegas; with many cousins and nieces and nephews.

Graveside memorial services for Rodney A. Drake will be 11 a.m. Friday June 3, at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials be given in his name to Home Options Hospice, 175 Commons Loop, Ste. 100, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Rodney's family.