Obituary – Lloyd Raymond Drake

Lloyd Raymond Drake entered the world on November 5, 1935, weighing a whopping 13 pounds—a sign from the very beginning that he would leave a big impression on everyone he met. He was born to Loren Russell and Velma Juanita (Hailey) Drake and was welcomed home by his older siblings, Juanita and Harold. A few years later, the family grew again with the arrival of his younger brother, Tom.
Lloyd attended school in Kellerton and Arispe, was in the 1954 graduating class at Arispe. He fell in love with the love of his life, Leona “Kay” Allen, and the couple was united in marriage on October 14, 1957, at Asbury Methodist Church in Des Moines. Four children blessed this union: Doug, Greg, Joe, and Kristi.
In 1964, Lloyd began his career selling Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance. During his tenure with the company, he was transferred to Red Oak in 1977. Joe and Kristi relocated with the family that year. In 1982, Lloyd and Kay retired and returned to their hometown of Mount Ayr.
Retirement, however, did not suit Lloyd for long. He picked up a hammer and taught himself carpentry, working on numerous homes throughout southwest Iowa. Along the way, he recruited plenty of good help, made lifelong friends, and earned the respect of many through his craftsmanship and work ethic.
In 2004, Lloyd and Kay decided to downsize and sold their Mount Ayr home. They built a house in Tingley on the acreage of Kay’s parents, Cecil and Lois Allen. It was during this chapter of life that they became “Winter Texans”, spending their winters in Texas. Lloyd and Kay thoroughly enjoyed their 22 years as Winter Texans, making many cherished friendships while maintaining close ties to family and friends back home.
Lloyd never met a stranger and could visit for hours with just about anyone. He was as ornery as they came and found great joy in making people smile and laugh. He was always trying to pull one over on someone, and more often than not, he succeeded. His quick wit, playful nature, and sense of humor were just part of what made Lloyd so memorable to everyone who knew him.
One of Lloyd’s greatest joys was making homemade ice cream. Over the years, he made countless freezers full for graduations, weddings, family reunions, and other gatherings. He truly enjoyed sharing this treat with others. Lloyd also loved participating in local parades, spending many hours and miles driving tractors for community celebrations.
Lloyd is survived by his children and grandchildren: Doug and Valerie Drake and their children Dusty, Amber, and Adam; Greg Drake and his children Chandra and Chanelle; Joe and Nancy Drake and their children Laura, Erin, Dan, Anna, and Andrew; and Kristi and Terry Moffitt and their children Leslie, DaNelle, Trisha, and Trenton. He is also survived by 42 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, his brother Tom and Barb Drake, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Loren and Velma Drake; his parents-in-law, Cecil and Lois Allen; his siblings, Juanita (Donald) Clouse and Harold Drake; his daughter-in-law, Diane Drake; his in-laws, Willis “Turk” and Kay Allen and Dave and Lois Anne Sobotka; and nephews, Brent Sobotka and Steve Clouse.
Lloyd passed away on October 21, 2026, at the age of 90, just weeks shy of his 91st birthday. While his passing leaves a void in the hearts of those who loved him, his legacy lives on in the laughter he shared, the friendships he built, the homes he helped create, and the generations of family blessed to call him Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa, brother, uncle, and friend.
Visitation, with Lloyd’s family present, will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 31 at the Tingley Community Center with a service beginning at 2:15 p.m.
Private burial will be held at a later date in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr.
Memorials are requested in his name for a bench at the Tingley Community Center, to bear the names of Lloyd & Kay Drake.
Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr is in charge of the arrangements and memories may be shared at armstrongfh.com.