Drake, Alfred Rev. Dr. 1922- 2013

DRAKE, DONOVAN, THOMSON

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 1/6/2014 at 14:32:14

The Rev. Dr. Alfred Drake age 91, of Orange City, passed away on Friday, December 27, 2013, at Happy Siesta Care Center in Remsen.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, December 30, at 1:00pm, at American Reformed Church in Orange City, Iowa. The Rev. Donovan Drake and the Rev. Harlan Van Oort will officiate. Interment will be at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City at a later date.

Arrangements are with the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.

Alfred Drake was born on June 23, 1922, in New York City, New York, the son of Edwin Francis and Mabelle (Donovan) Drake.

He was a graduate of Wheaton College, attended Dubuque Seminary and the Boston University School of Theology, and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Christian Theological Seminary. He was ordained in the First Presbyterian Church of East Boston, MA. He served churches in Elizabeth, IL, Waukegan, IL, Meaderboro, NH, West Des Moines, IA, Vincennes, IN, and Edinburgh, IN.

He was moderator of the Boston Presbytery, the Boston Presbytery appointee to the Presbyterian Church USA General Assembly, and the Presbyterian Church USA Assembly director of the Fifty Million Fund in Columbus, OH, and Des Moines, IA.

Alfred taught Greek and New Testament classes at the Boston University School of Theology and was the Director of Development for Northwestern College in Orange City, IA, and the Director of Development and Chaplain for Tarkio College in Missouri.

He held memberships in the International Society of Theta Phi and the Society of Biblical Literature and served as trustee for the Ohio Valley Presbytery and Presbyterian Church USA. He did volunteer work with Housing Partnership and Taylorsville Indiana Elementary schools. He also did volunteer work for the Orange City Area Health System.

His wood and stone sculptures, all with theological themes, were exhibited at the New York Gallery, colleges and churches, and local art shows, and are prized by family and friends.

On August 26, 1947, he married Lillian May Thomson in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. In addition to his wife of over 65 years, he is survived by his sister Carol and brother-in-law Kenneth Rice of New Bern, NC, sister-in-law Marjorie Drake of Lakeville, MN; three children and their spouses, Allyson and Tom Becker, of Orange City, IA, Mark Drake and Barbara Hubers-Drake, of Seattle, WA, and the Rev. Dr. Donovan and Beth Drake, of Nashville, TN; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, William F. Drake.

Memorials may be directed to the American Reformed Church in Orange City, Iowa or to the charity of your choice.