Final Salute

Frank M. Drake
1926-2024
Born January 5,1926, passed away at the age of 98 on December 5, 2024. Frank was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania , the only son of Archie A. Drake of Old Town Maine and Betty U. Wright of Trenton, New Jersey. At the age of two the family moved to Los Angeles, CA where Frank grew up and attended Washington High School. After graduation he joined the U.S. Army Officers Candidate program and attended UCLA and Montana State. The invasion of Europe in World War II changed all that, he was inducted into the 100th Infantry Division. He participated in the invasion of Southern France. After the war Frank returned to Los Angeles continuing his education and graduated from USC with a Master Degree in Engineering. After returning from war he met the love of his life, Beverly Ann Buress. They were married for 77 years until her passing. Frank became a successful Civil, Structural Engineer, starting his career with the City of Los Angeles. He continued his career and working for Holmes and Narver where he was involved with the Atomic Testing Program. The job took him to the South Pacific, Southern Nevada and the Aleutian Islands and included moving the family to Las Vegas. He and Beverly later moved back to Southern California and Frank worked for ICBO, International Conference of Building Officials until retirement. During his working years he was in the Navy Reserves Seabee Division serving 20 years retiring at the rank of Commander.
Frank enjoyed boating and flying and obtained his pilot’s license.
Frank was proceeded in death by his wife Beverly. He is survived by his sons, Ronald(Vicki), Jon, David(Diana) and daughter Janice(Rick)Rice, along with 5 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
Viewing held at Preston & Simon Mortuary, Riverside CA, December 3, 2024
Service and Inurnment at Riverside National Cemetery January 3, 2025.

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