Richard Evan Drake

Richard E. Drake, age 76, was called home following a long bout with progressive heart failure. He wanted to live to see all of his children achieve adulthood, and to count them as humble followers of Christ.

He was born October 10, 1940 in Logan, Utah to Edna Johnson and R. Merritt Drake. He grew up in Idaho and served an LDS mission in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. He received degrees from Idaho State University, Wayne State University (Detroit, MI), and Brigham Young University. He was a devoted member of the LDS Church and was married in the temple to Mary Shaffer of Hailey, ID and later to Bonnie Jean Bird of Salt Lake City.

As a University professor he loved the thousands of students he came to teach and know from throughout the United States and many foreign countries. His students recognized the master teacher and gifted writer that he was, and gave thanks for the excellent example and great education that they received.

He loved his family and is the father of nine children: Taylor (Ruriko), Leston (Jolene), Paul (Tami), Mary Kay, Melanie (Jim), Nathan (Rachael), Ryan, Steven (Andrea), and Michael (deceased); 21 grandchildren; will also be missed by his siblings Sherrill (John) Redd, James Drake, Ronald (Adonna) Drake, David (Linda) Drake, and Janey (Berniel) Maughan.

Special thanks to Bonnie for her loving care of Dad, for many years, and the family who have supported him throughout these past number of years. Thanks to the several hospice nurses and others who cared for him these past months.

Services will be held Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at 11 am in the Garden Heights Ward, 2220 East Fisher Lane (2935 So.). A viewing will occur from 9:30am-10:30am prior to the service. Graveside service at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park will follow. Guestbook to post messages and tributes for the family is available at: www.HolbrookMortuary.com