of Mountain Home, AR
February 25, 1929 - February 13, 2017
Funeral Services for Loyd ''Boyce'' Drake, age 87, will be held Thursday, February 16, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Roller Funeral Home Chapel in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Visitation will be on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 from 12:00 to 9:00 pm, with family receiving friends from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Boyce died in Mountain Home under the care of Hospice of the Ozarks on Monday, February 13, 2017.
The son of Thomas Franklin Drake and Ida Bell Drake, he was born at Saddle, Arkansas on February 25, 1929. He is survived by his daughter, Sheila Drake (Jerry Horst) of Mountain Home, son, Jackie (Sue) of Collierville, Tennessee, and son, Mark (Annette) of Springdale, Arkansas.
One of Boyce's greatest joys came from spending time with his six grandchildren: Mary Frances Ruthven Hemm (Bill) of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Melissa Ruthven Coleman (Karl) of Springdale, Arkansas, Dr. Jay Drake (Anna) of Germantown, Tennessee, Thomas (Emily) Drake of Memphis, Tennessee, Devin Drake (Jennifer) of Stuttgart, Arkansas and Aston Cox (David) of McGehee, Arkansas. He also treasured his greatgrandchildren: Anna, Lauren and Leah Grace Hemm of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and Kora and Stockton Boyce Coleman of Springdale, Arkansas.
Boyce is also survived by a brother, Ivan Drake of Wenatchee, Washington. He was pre-deceased by his wife of 61 years, Claudine, three sisters, Ellie McCoy, Lois Weaver and Lola Bowling and two brothers Bert Drake and Doyle Drake.
At the age of 16, Boyce and a friend ventured from north Arkansas to Detroit, Michigan to find their fortune in the automotive industry. Finding no luck, Boyce returned to Salem, Arkansas where he found work at North Arkansas Electric Cooperative. Boyce worked his way up the rural electric system from digging post holes by hand to retiring in 1990 as President and Chief Executive Officer of Quachita Electric Cooperative in Camden, Arkansas. Prior to transferring to Quachita Electric, Boyce served as District Manager of North Arkansas Electric Cooperative in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Boyce also served as mayor of Mountain Home from 1965 to 1971 and was very active in the community: Lions Club, Elks Club, Baxter County Democratic Party and Baxter County Fair Board. Boyce was a member of First United Methodist Church in Mountain Home.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Ozarks
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12 Condolence(s)
Kurt J Corbett
Friday, February 17, 2017
Sheila
My condolences to you and your family. Boyce was one of the
best men I have had the honor to know.
Dexter and Regenia Goodman
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Dexter and I would like to say we were so sorry to hear about your great loss of your love one. You guys may not remember us as it has been a long time. Your Dad and Mom were very special people and we thought a lot of them. I (Regenia) worked for your Dad @ North Arkansas Electric in Mountain Home from January 1966 until he took his new job and left. He was a very good Boss! I hated to see him leave us, but knew it was an opportunity he didn't want to pass up. So sorry we were not able to be at the services, but all the family are in our thoughts and prayers. He will be missed by so many people but we know you have a lot of Precious Memories to Cling to in the difficult days ahead.
Phil & Cheryl Bradley
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Sheila--So Sorry for your loss. I remember as a kid hanging out at your house watching TV (you'll had the ONLY TV in the neighborhood) Your Dad and Mom were so good to us. He made a very good impression that I have never forgotten. RIP Boyce!!
Phil Bradley
Bill Greening(son of Tyson Greening)
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Our thoughts and prayers for the family. I remember days at the deer camp with him and my Dad(Tyson), he killed some nice deer and they had many good fishing trips together. Wow, the stories they told.
Peggy Muckelrath
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
To the Drake Family: I had the pleasure of working for Mr. Drake for eleven years. Mr. Drake was a very kind and caring person and a very GREAT boss. He was greatly missed at Ouachita Electric when he retired and moved back to Mountain Home. The Drake family is my thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow. May God give you all peace and comfort.
Kate Yoemans formerly of the Drake Law Firm, P.A.
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
My condolences are extended to the family of Mr. Drake. I had the opportunity to meet with him on several occasions as I worked for his attorney for many years. He was always such a gracious man. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Drake family.
Jerrell Ross
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Sending my condolences to everyone in Boyce's family. He was a generous, caring neighbor and a wonderful man. I respected him so and appreciated so much all that he did over the years for me and my parents.
Marian Elliott Blough
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
I was so sorry to hear of Mr. Drake's passing; I never had the pleasure of meeting him personally, but went to MHHS with his daughter, Sheila. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. God bless you all!
Randel and Sharon Butler
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Hello Shelia and family. So sad to hear about Boyce. We are out of town until March 1. Wish we could be there. Sharon and I visited with Boyce before we left. So glad we did. Miss seeing him across the fence working away on his yard. He was a great friend and neighbor. Our thoughts and prayers are with you
Charlene Mahan Schlotzhauer
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
The world is a better place because Boyce Drake was in it! He will be missed by not only his family but the many friends in the community. RIP my bff's daddy...you your smile & loving heart will forever be part of me!
Paula Roddy
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
sorry for your loss
I knew your parents in the 70s when they lived by Norman&Verda Ross on 62 East
deepest sympathy
Paula Roddy(HARRIS)
Boyd Ray and Wanda Jean Hall
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
We send our condolence to our life long friend.