1954
Drake
2019
Drake C. Johnson
January 23, 1954 — December 15, 2019
Drake had an incredible work ethic up until the end, starting with his very first job at the age of 15 as the caretaker for the animals at the Deming Park Zoo, and then as a laborer at Frank L. Johnson & Sons Development company. He retired as Lieutenant from the Terre Haute Police Department in 1995. He then enjoyed working with his sister and brother-in-law for many years as the office manager at Kelly Metal Products. He most recently retired from the Vigo County Sheriff's Department, where he worked as a special deputy assigned to Vigo County Courthouse security. Through all of these careers, Drake worked multiple extra jobs, selling shoes at Ben Becker and Meis, selling lawnmowers at Sears, as special investigator for the prosecutor's office, a contractor through FedEx, and security at numerous businesses and ISU events and games. Through all of this, Drake created countless friendships with those he worked with.
Drake was born January 23, 1954, in Terre Haute to Frank L. Johnson and Lucille Backer Johnson. Drake carried with pride the fact that he was named after his grandfather Desford Charles (D.C.) Johnson and grandmother whose maiden name was Drake. Survivors include his beautiful wife of 47 years, Debra Abner Johnson; daughter, Nicole B. Johnson of Indianapolis; son Jeffrey B. Johnson of Terre Haute; two sisters, Candy Shagley (Rick) and Sue Kelly (Larry) all of Terre Haute; and two brothers, Mike Johnson (Pat) of Bradenton, FL and Frank "Lindy" Johnson (Teresa) of Scottsdale, AZ. Also surviving are his mother and father-in-law, Madie and David Abner; and a sister-in-law Connie Richards (Brett) all of Kingwood, TX; and 12 nieces and nephews, all of whom he was extremely proud. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Drake first attended St. Patrick School, and graduated from Schulte in 1972. He attended Indiana State University, received the academic achievement award for graduating first in his class at Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, and graduated Polygraph School in New York City. Drake belonged to both St. Patrick Parish and St. Benedict Parish.
First and foremost, Drake was a devoted family man. He absolutely adored his two children and cherished every moment he spent with them. They enjoyed many family vacations together, often spent in Florida visiting his brother Mike's family. He was a gifted storyteller, entertaining all who would listen with his quick wit and laugh-out-loud humor, usually involving funny family memories. Drake loved to play games with his nieces and nephews, always the biggest kid in the room. But he also brought with him a calming presence, setting those around him at ease. He was an extremely kind man and had a knack for identifying the good in people, often making them feel as if they were the most important person in the room. At a very young age Drake developed a love of books and reading that would continue throughout his entire life.
Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 12:05 PM, Monday, December 23, 2019 in St. Benedict Church, 111 South 9th Street, with Father Martin Day, OFM Conv. officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, 4227 Wabash Avenue. Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, December 22, 2019, from 3:00-7:00 PM in Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 South 25th Street. If friends should so desire, memorial contributions can be made to the Wabash Valley Community Foundation, 200 South 8th Street, Terre Haute, IN 47808 in Drake's name.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Drake C. Johnson, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Sunday, December 22, 2019
3:00 - 7:00 pm (Eastern time)
Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home
Mass of Christian Burial
Monday, December 23, 2019
Starts at 12:05 pm (Eastern time)
St. Benedict Catholic Church
Guestbook
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