Dr. Douglas J. Drake

Dr. Douglas Johnston Drake was born February 6, 1943 in Coffeyville, Kansas to Melvin Eugene and Geraldine Joan Drake, the younger of two boys. The family lived in Enid, OK; Lincoln, NE; Minneapolis, MN; and Albuquerque, NM. Doug graduated from Sandia High School in Albuquerque in 1960. Doug joined the US Navy at age 17, completed his training at San Diego and received his orders in December 1960. He served on the aircraft carrier USS Ranger with the 7th fleet in the Western Pacific.
Doug married Betty Irene Mears on July 14, 1963 in Beloit, Kansas. They lived in Alameda, CA until Doug was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1964. He briefly attended New Mexico State University, and then transferred to Kansas State University, where he received his Bachelor's Degree in 1967. He received his Doctor of Medicine from the University Of Kansas School Of Medicine in June 1972. Dr. Drake completed a residency at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City in 1973. Later that year, the Drake family moved to Beloit, Kansas, and Doug joined the Beloit Medical Center staff. In the late eighties, Doug opened the Primary Care Clinic in downtown Beloit, where he continued to practice until his death. Dr. Drake died on Saturday, December 20, 2008 at Salina Regional Health Center.
Doug's first occupation in Beloit was as a summer farmhand for Paul Mears during his high school years. During those summers he met his wife, Betty. He enjoyed the disciplines of drafting and woodworking, as well as the physical challenges of running, swimming, and bicycling. In his free time, Dr. Drake was an avid sailor and captain of two sailboats, the Overdraft and the Maggie Lou. He enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren the joys of sailing, including managing the ropes, sails, and taking the helm. He was devoted to his many patients and celebrated the births of more than 3,000 newborns with each family at Mitchell County Hospital.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Left to mourn his passing and celebrate his life include his wife, Betty of the home; his brother, David C. Drake, Albuquerque, NM; two sons, Ian Drake and wife Janet, and Robert Drake, both of Beloit; three daughters, Katherine Burch and husband Joseph, Liberty, Indiana, Beth Lind and husband Loren, Whiting, Kansas, and Damaris Drake and fiancé Brent Trimble, Beloit. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Darin Drake and wife Jennifer, Derek Drake and fiancé Nicole Francis, Dana Drake, Melissa Lehman and husband DeWayne, Scot Boyer, Joshua Engelbert and fiancé Liz Ludwig, Matthew Engelbert and special friend Kelsey Newton, and Kayden Trimble; and three great-grandchildren, Alexis Drake, Maddox Engelbert, and Isaiah Lehman; and many friends, colleagues, and patients.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM Friday, December 26 at the Beloit First United Methodist Church followed by burial in Tolley Cemetery near Beloit. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday at McDonald Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to the Douglas J. Drake Memorial Fund for a special project to later be determined by the family or Donor's Choice.