In Loving Memory

R. Gene "Moose" Drake

R. Gene Drake aka "Moose", a lifelong resident of Colville, WA passed away on march 1st, 2024 at the age of 66.  he was surrounded by his close family and friends.

Gene is survived by his father, Melvin Drake (Colville); sister, BobbieLee (Carl) Gleave (Colville); nephews, Brandon (Heather) Judd, Jesse Gleave, and Josh (JonieMarie) Gleave, all of Colville; and a host of great nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his mother, Rita Drake, and his niece BrandyLee Judd.

Gene was born in Chewelah, WA on April 10, 1957 to Melvin and Rita Drake.  He graduated a 12-year senior from Colville High School.  In addition to acquiring his Eagle Scout rank, he was also an avid member of the Colville swim team and the Colville JC.  After finishing high school, Gene advanced his education by attending Eastern Washington University, majoring in theater and the arts.  He retained multiple awards over the years to follow in crafting wood carvings with master artistry.

Gene Devoted his time to the arts, camping, fishing, ceramics, and pottery with close friends and family.  He enjoyed most camping trips with his family.  Taking trips to Lake Gillette campground with their bottomless Army tents, all curled up together staying warm, until his sister was awoken by her mother and father yelling and running about, fearing they had lost Gene; only to later find Gene Curled up next to a bush down the hill, having managed to roll under the side of the tent at some point.

There were two holidays Gene enjoyed most: Christmas and Halloween.  Christmas Eve, Gene would try to stay up with his sister, trying to catch a glimpse of the Holly Jolly Santa through a vent to the living room.  Well, the morning of Christmas dad and mom just knew that the kids had tried to stay up all night, with Gene falling asleep with his face pressed against the vent, leaving the impressions for the entire day.  Halloween was an amazing opportunity for Gene to embrace his artistic side, attending family and friends' parties and handing out candy.  He was always so happy to see the children in their unique and colorful costumes, and most importantly, all the homemade goodies he indulged in himself.

Gene enjoyed throwing back a few with the family and friends, listening to his favorite country song, "The Rodeo Song", by Garry Lee and the Showdown.  He also enjoyed taking walks and rides out in the breathtaking scenery of the Pacific Northwest, having a deep appreciation for the vast array of natures paint brushes.  Unbeknownst to most around him, what he was really doing was mimicking nature and using the picturesque views as his muse.  From his freehand drawings to his wood carvings, Gene was an artist in his family and

friends' eyes.  To see the recipient's faces when he would give them his creations would give him a sense of love and meaning, and hoped they saw that beauty through their eyes.  His creativity had no limits.  In his quiet times of self-reflection, he would pick up a book by his favorite author, Janet Evanovich.  Once he picked up one of her books, he just couldn't stand to put them down, reading them from cover to cover- sometimes twice.

Gene's family would like to thank all his family and friends for their love and support over the years, as well as his caregiver, April.  We truly appreciate all you have done.

A celebration of life and potluck luncheon will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 7, 2024 at the Colville Agricultural Trade Center.  Please visit the on-line memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com.  Danekas Funeral Chapel & Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gene's honor to the Woodland Theater in Kettle Falls, WA.