Dr. Willard Melvin Drake
Dr. Willard Melvin Drake, Jr., 97, passed away on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Drake was born on March 8, 1913 in Flagstaff, Arizona to William and Bertha Frances (Woodbury) Drake.
He was an urologist, inventor and researcher. He was a graduate of Erskine College in Due West, SC and Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, PA.
He invented the “Uroflometer”, a plastic device widely used by urologists for diagnosis, and he authored numerous papers and had many prize-winning exhibits at meetings of The American Medical Association, New Jersey College of Surgeons, American College of Surgeons and the American Urological Association.
Dr. Drake was a Clinical Professor of Urology at Jefferson Medical College in addition to being on staff at Cooper Hospital in Camden, NJ as attending urologist. He served on many boards in local, state and regional medical societies in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
After retiring, he worked for the Texas Department of Health as an inspector for nursing homes until he was 80.
He was a veteran of World War II who served in Europe as a Captain in the Medical Corps until 1945.
In his spare time he enjoyed working in his vegetable garden and reading his Bible.
His wife, Lois Barlow Drake, predeceased him.
He is survived by his brother, John Drake of Mt. Pleasant, SC, his children, Patricia Drake Cabrera and husband Ray of Delaware, Joanne Morris and husband Jerold of Doylestown, PA; grandchildren Elizabeth Alexander and husband Richard, Julie Morris and significant other Dave Stroup, and Holly Morris and significant other Moses Selassie; great-grandchildren, Katie, David, Allison, and Rebecca Alexander, Alayna Morris, and David Selassie; step-children, Donald W. Barlow, Sr. and wife Debbie of Nacogdoches, Texas, Doyle Barlow and wife Katherine of Mineola, Texas, Patricia Stewart and husband Randy of Nacogdoches, Texas; step-grandchildren, Donnie Barlow and wife Jerri, Kristi Spencer and husband Rodney, Brent Stewart and wife Heather, Cassie Pierce and husband Jody, Macy Barlow, and Mary Ann Christophersen; step great-grandchildren, Courtney, Clayton and Cody Barlow, Austin Stewart, Ashton Stewart, Dalton and John Willingham, and Brittnie Christophersen.
The family would like to acknowledge the following caregivers for their love and care given to Dr. Drake: Rana Innis, Sheryl Penny, Karen Johnson, Dee Ann Smith, Annie Mason, Glenda Creery, Rose Jernigan, and the late Barbara Williamson.
A funeral service will take place on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 11:00 am with Bro. Bill Sherrill officiating at Cason Monk-Metcalf Sunset Chapel , 5400 North Street , Nacogdoches, TX.
Friends are invited to a visitation prior to service on Saturday, February 19, 2011, at 10:00 am at Cason Monk-Metcalf Sunset Chapel.
Serving as pallbearers will be Donnie Barlow, Brent Stewart, Rodney Spencer, Jody Pierce, Clayton Barlow, Cody Barlow, and Austin Stewart.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Dr. Drake to the Nacogdoches Treatment Center, 119 Hughes Street, Nacogdoches, Texas 75965, or Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd, Tyler, Texas 75701.
Online condolences may be offered at www.casonmonk-metcalf.com
