Henry S. Drake Jr.

Published 9:00 am Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Henry S. Drake Jr., of Dillwyn, passed away on Aug. 12, just two months shy of his 88th birthday. He was born on Oct. 2, 1936, in Princeton, New Jersey, to the late Henry S. Drake and Anne Kuhn Drake.

He grew up working on his family’s farm in Skillman, New Jersey, and graduated from Princeton High School. Henry spent most of his career at the New Jersey utility company Public Service Electric & Gas Company before retiring and moving to Dillwyn with his late wife, Fran.

Henry, known to many as “Hank,” was a proud veteran of the Army National Guard. He enjoyed golfing, NASCAR and drinking port wine. Henry was also an animal lover who rescued many dogs. Henry had a wide circle of friends in Virginia, New Jersey and around the country.

Henry is survived by his two daughters, Samantha Drake and Joanna Klimaski; son-in-law, Jeffrey Klimaski, and three grandsons, Matthew, Ryan and Tyler Klimaski, all of Doylestown, Pennsylvania. He is additionally survived by his step-daughter, Vicki Davenport and her husband, James Davenport of Denmark, Maine; their three children, James Davenport, Clint Davenport and Melissa Rascoe, and grandchildren, Brooklyn, Cooper, Emma and William.

In addition to his parents and wife, Henry was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Drake.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 24, at 11 a.m. at 983 Muddy Creek Road,

Dillwyn. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Central Virginia Humane Society and SPCA, 899 Buffalo Road, Dillwyn, VA 23936.