David B. Drake, age 98, passed away on October 7, 2024 at Maranatha Village.  David was born to Frederick and Helen (Ziese) Drake on January 7, 1926 in New Castle, Pennsylvania.  He was raised in Pennsylvania and graduated from Jamestown High School in Jamestown, New York. David was united in marriage to Elsie Preston in 1948.  David and Elsie shared 56 years before Elsie’s untimely passing in 2005.  The couple was blessed with 2 sons, Frederick Charles Drake and William Allen Drake.

David earned degrees from Central Bible College, Missouri State University and University of Missouri at Columbia.  David began his teaching career at Central Bible College in 1950 and was employed at CBC until his retirement in 1992 after completing 42 years of service.  In 1959 he was named Director of Admissions and Records at CBC, a position he held for 22 years.  His love for the students and the classroom permitted him to carry at least a one-half teaching load along with the admissions and records responsibilities.  David’s areas of teaching included English, speech, education, Bible and theology.  He also served on the college board of administration for many years, as well as faculty committees and as class sponsor.

David served as president of the Missouri Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, president of the Executive Dinner Club of Springfield, MO and president of the Assemblies of God Credit Union board for 32 years.  David also taught the young married couple’s class at Central Assembly as well as Central Assembly’s Sanctuary class for 32 years.  David pastored Assembly of God churches in Buffalo, MO and Mt. Comfort Church as well as conducted evangelistic work in Missouri, Kansas and New Jersey.

David was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Elsie, brothers Daniel Haddon Drake, John Frederick Drake, sisters, Esther Helene Drake Oclassen and Elizabeth Faith Drake Peterson, and grandchild, Nathaniel Deniz.

He is survived by his present wife, Sandra Drake and his two sons and their spouses, Fred (Pamela) Drake and William (Lori) Drake.  Grandchildren:  Aaron Daniel Drake (Carol), Sarah Elizabeth Drake, Rachel Meredith Drake Nipper, (Bradley), Christy Marie Drake Walker (Darcy), and Adam David Drake, (Jaclyn).  Great Grandchildren:  Brielle, Kaelyn, Jackson, Emerson, Emma, Hailey, Beckham and Addison Grace.

On Valentine’s Day, 2007, David married Sandra Clopine, Chaplain at Maranatha Village, Springfield, MO.  Together they served in various ministries for independent living residents at Maranatha Village.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. at Central Assembly of God, 1301 N. Boonville, Springfield, MO.  Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m.  at Central Assembly of God.  Burial to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 3600 N. National Ave., Springfield, MO.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in David’s memory to the Elsie Preston Drake Scholarship Fund at Evangel University. Please click on the blue “Advancement” link to make a contribution.

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