Celebrating The Life of Joseph R. Drake
Joseph Ronald Drake was born to Joseph Nathaniel Drake and his wife Carrie Drake on July 18, 1941, in Hughes, Arkansas. Known to many as "Joe, Jr." Joseph was the third child and first son born to this union. Joe's parents were devout believers in God who raised him in church. His family moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan when he was a young child and lived on the West Side of the city.
Joe was in a quartet with his close friends Eli, Sylvester, and Larry. The group performed at numerous venues and for various audiences and even participated in street corner doo-wop competitions.
Joe was also a stellar athlete who excelled in baseball, boxing and football. While attending South High School, he was twice crowned Mighigan State's Golden Gloves Light- Heavyweight Champion and a member of the All-City Football Team for two consecutive years.
While earning his Bachelor of Arts in Education at Parson College in Fairfield, Iowa, he assisted the college's outreach and recruitment efforts for African American students. After graduating, Joe secured his first teaching position at Lemoore Naval Station in Lemoore, California.
Joe continued his educational pursuits earning a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from city University and a Doctorate of Philosophy from Antioch University in Seattle, Washington.
His dedication to helping others and his community is best illustrated when he served as an educational consultant conducting in-service workshops for numerous school districts, state and county agencies.
Drake was and active member of the Seattle Chapter of the NAACP, where he worked to expand the organization's dedication and service to God took precedence over them all.
As a devoted member of the Church of Christ, Joe often taught Bible classes, served among the leadership and on occasion would deliver the sermon on Sundays.
In 2009, Dr. Joseph Drake retired from his position with Seattle Public Schools as a High School principal and spent time traveling, working out in the gym and golfing as much as possible. With an unconditional love and passion for family, Joe never missed an opportunity to gather and share with family and loved ones. No one could resist his gregarious and loving personality, his warm smile and infectious laughter.
To cherish his memory, Joe leaves his devoted wife Joyce, his sisters Frankie, Christie, and Rosemary, brothers; Louis and Taalib, Sons, Joseph Kareem, Billy Carlos, and Keith. His daughters, Kelly, Kimberly, Karaminga and Brenda, fourteen grandchildren, 27 greatgrandchildren, two sisters-inlaw Gwendolyn and Frances. Lefelong friends, Lawrence Redd, John Mathews and Johnny Walker, bonus daughters; Glenda, Llonia and Theressa, several nieces, nephews and a host of cousins, relatives and friends.
Tis in the still of the night when memories of today and yesterday enter into our thoughts. A good friend of our town and Native Son Joseph R. Drake came into my thought. Joe was in my 5th grade class. He sat in the back of the classroom with three other boys, who liked to play around in class. Joe Drake was special because he always talked Mr.s Daniel the music teacher into singing "Little Red Caboose". The rest of the class wanted to sing other songs, but Mrs. Daniel, would give into Joe drake whose had was up and he was yelling "sing Little Caboose". The rest of the class just rolled their eyes and grew quiet. Mrs. Daniel would say, "okay Joe you start". From the back of the classroom came this sound from Joe Drake, 'Hush Puff Hush Puff", (sound of steam from the train). Whooooooo coming down the track. Then the class would join in sininging "Little Red Caboose, Coming down the track smoke stacked on his back".
Joe was a cool skater, dancer, and football player. On one Friday at the sports award assembley Coach Mike Murphy called on Sylvester Jones, Larry Redd, John Mathews, Johnny Walker and Joe Drake to sing "In The Still of The Night" by The Satins. The group of five walked out on the South High School stage. They were so cool. When the students heard "Show Do & Show Me Do (Doo Wop) Joe Drake, with his mellow voice took the lead and sung. The students clapped and whistled. Je and Bev married and had three wonderful daughters; Kelly, Kim and Kory. Life take different turns and the curtains opens on different scenes. Dr. Joseph Drake took his final call, leaving his audience of family and friends and all of his children. Best wishes and love, he was not alone, you see in the still of the night God called his name.
Myrna P. Granderson
My 1st Hero, Westside Joe Drake. A gentle giant. Descendant of Jim and Mariah Wicks. We have many decades of precious memoires to keep us smiling and give thanks to the Almighty for such a long life for our brother. May his spirit soar in the Realm of the Ancestors and his soul reside amongst the righteous Big Brother and thrank you for opening doors of opportunity for me. Another Westside Legend has left his mark in our hearts.
Taalib El Amin
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