Joseph Drake

Our loving husband, daddy, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Joseph “Joe” Earl Drake, 76, passed away on July 12, 2015 in his Salt Lake City home after a long illness.
He was born on Friday, January 13, 1939 to Franklin Lee Drake, Sr. and Catherine Thelma Smith in West Jordan, Utah. Dad graduated from Jordan High and was proud to be a Beetdigger. He was a tanker driver until his retirement. He loved his sports, the Utah Jazz, Indianapolis Colts, BYU, golf, and the rodeo. He loved spending time with his family, sharing his love of horses, camping, playing his guitar, and going to breakfast with his best friend, Bill Lyons.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Lillian Mounts Drake; brother Franklin Lee Drake, Jr. (Jeanette); children Deanna Drake, Jodawna Sanders, Paulette (Casey) Phillips, RayLynn (Paul) Koayman, Mark (Michelle) Sisan, LoraLee (Albert) Bennett, Debbie Elkington, Rick (Debbie) Drake, JoLayne (Tony) Carlson, Vania (Wesley) Schmidt, and Vandi (Cary) McFarland; daughter-in-law Lee Butters; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, neighborhood grandchildren, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends.
Preceded in death by his parents, in-laws Randy and Gloria Mounts, sister-in-law Lynette Baker, son Randy “Bufford” Butters, grandson Tyler Ransom Schmidt, and several other family members.
Joe touched many lives and will be missed dearly. The family would like to thank you for being a part of our lives.
At Dad’s request there will be no funeral services. A private tribute will be held in his honor at a later date.
We love and miss you, Daddy.