Johnathan D. Drake

Contrary to popular belief, all men are not created equal. From his vibrant personality and positive attitude, to his signature laugh, encouraging de-meanor and love for people of all walks of life, Johnathan Devaneʹ Drake was so much more than an ordinary man. Like a fine Picasso painting, he was classic. Debonair. In a class all by himself. To know him was to love him. And those who didn’t love him simply didn’t know the authentic “Johnny” at all.

He entered into this world on February 18, 1960 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to Carrie Drake. Raised under humble beginnings with his mother and grand-mother, Johnathan and his brother, Tony, relocated to Detroit after the pass-ing of their mother. Under the love and leadership of his aunt and uncle, Izzie and Ollie Carson, Johnathan graduated from Mackenzie High School on Detroit’s westside. However, because he had already signed up to enlist in the United States Army, he was unable to walk across the stage with his classmates because he was deployed before graduation. During high school, he had the opportunity to work at The Michigan Inn Hotel, escorting stars, local government officials and celebrities to and from their rooms—a posi-tion he was extremely proud of and honored to serve in.

In the Army, Johnathan served as a Communications Specialist from 1978 to 1981, before attending Louisiana State University for two years. Although he did not complete his studies at LSU, he was able to secure a position with The Michigan Cancer Foundation for a couple of years before he transitioned to Detroit Receiving Hospital, where he served as Admitting Representative for many years. After his tenure at Detroit Receiving, he worked for LabCorp shortly before landing at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, where he retired from his Analyst position in 2019.

In 1998, Johnathan was finally able to marry the love of his life and high-school sweet-heart, Rose. Even though they met in mid-dle school, and he moved around to various states, he always kept in touch with Rose. On frequent trips to visit family in Alabama, for years, he was sure to visit Rose whenever he was “in the neighborhood.” That lifelong friendship led to their marriage of 22 years, where he loved and cher-ished his bride as Christ loves the church. From vacations and excursions, to road trips and many nights of old-school music, Johnny and Rose, affectionately known as his “Honey Girl”, were committed to riding the waves of life together, unapologetically.

Always up for a thrill, it’s no surprise that Johnathan “The Drake Man” loved amusement parks and roller coaster rides. He loved to play around on the piano and sing the two songs that he knew how to play (yes, just two). When he wasn’t playing pool or cards, he was grilling and hosting family and friends at his home for a cookout. As an Alabama football fan, it’s no surprise that he spent many days yelling at the TV with his son, Matthew, like a true football fanatic does. And when he was traveling with his bride, he was adamant about mastering for-eign greetings and languages. As a man who “never met a stranger,” Johnathan was bold about witnessing about Jesus Christ and the love of the Lord to anyone who would listen (and even those who wouldn’t). An ordained deacon under Strictly Biblical Ministries, his love and joy of the Lord was contagious—affect-ing anyone and everyone who crossed his path.

On Sunday, April 26, 2020, Johnathan transitioned from labor to rest and re-ward at his home surrounded by his wife and his son, Matthew. He was 60 years young. He leaves to celebrate his life and carry on his legacy his loving wife, Rose Drake; his children, Starvel Drake, Johnathan Devane’ Drake II, Alyceia Johnson, Geoffrey Johnson, and Matthew Drake; his cousin, who was more like a brother, Christopher Carson; lifetime friend, Larry Williams; a host of extend-ed family members, friends and loved ones.

Whether you knew him from the times he played Santa Claus for small children, you met him throughout the course of his career, or you came to know Christ because of him witnessing to you personally, Johnathan definitely left a mark on the hearts and minds of people worldwide that cannot easily be erased. Though we mourn the loss, we celebrate his legacy and we rejoice in knowing that we can still carry his spirit of joy in our hearts for decades to come.