Stew (85) of Granbury, Texas slipped the surley bonds of earth.  Put out his hand and touched the face of God.  Born October 20, 1936, the youngest of three children to Floyd Newton Drake, Sr. and Florence Mildred Wilkinson Drake in Houston, Texas.  Stew was inducted into the United States Navy in Dallas, Texas on August 8, 1955 where he served his country proudly, doing three tours in Vietnam.  He rose to AE-1 in rank before he was honorably discharged on January 16, 1969 for medical reasons, at China Lake, California.  His last employment of approximately 16 years was maintenance at the United States Postal Service in Ft. Worth, Texas.  During his time in the military while on leave, he met the love of his life Faye and was married April 15, 1966 in Jacksonville, Florida.  They had just celebrated their 56^th wedding anniversary.

Stew was a longtime member of Southside Baptist Church.  He loved to sing in the choir.  He loved to do woodwork and make crosses for families and churches.  He wrote poems on memory folders.  Special awards that Stew received were All American District 21 Commander 1982-1983, American and Vietnam Service medals.  He belonged to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled Veterans of American and Hood County Jail Ministry.

Stew was preceded in death by his parents: Floyd Newton Drake, Sr. (wife, Cora Myrtice).  Florence Mildred Ferrell, (husband, Charles Hair Ferrell); Brother:  Floyd Newton Drake, Jr.; Sister: Wanda Lee Hansen; Nephew: Jimmy Floyd Hansen.

Stew is survived by his loving wife of 56 years Faye Drake; Daughters: Patricia Dorris, Shelly Edmundson, Deborah Price and Barbara Houston; Son: Lee Dutschmann; Sisters:  Barbara Reeves, Robin Smith and Beverly Christian.

Many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Many nieces and nephews, church families and friends.

Visitation: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Thursday, April 28, 2022, Wiley Funeral Home, Granbury

Service: 2:00 PM, Friday, April 29, 2022, Southside Baptist Church, Granbury

Graveside services and burial with Military Honors will follow at Holly Hills Memorial Park in Granbury under the direction of Wiley Funeral Home.