Harlan Gabriel David Elijah Drake

Harlan Gabriel David Elijah Drake was born July 5, 1980 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was the son of Thomas Drake and Debra Shannon. David moved with his family at an early age to Tulsa where he lived for a couple of years prior to relocating to Southwest City, Missouri; where he started elementary school. Later they moved to Ketchum where he attended high school, graduating from Ketchum High School in 1998. While attending high school, David participated in carpentry training at Northeast Technology Center in Afton. This course combined classroom training with hands-on training which enabled David to enter the construction field as a residential framer. He actually assisted in the construction of a complete house from the foundation up as part of this training. Upon graduation, David accepted employment as a home construction carpenter and homebuilder for Gibson Homes in Broken Arrow. He assisted in the construction of numerous homes throughout the Tulsa area in a nearly ten year period. David was described by his family and friends as a compassionate and loving person who enjoyed life to the fullest. He was also considered kind, loyal, respectful and was extremely generous to anyone in need; never seeking recognition for his assistance. He was a talented musician and artist. He enjoyed playing the guitar and the bass and enjoyed drawing. His favorite music was rock and roll and annually attended the concerts at Rocklahoma at Pryor. His favorite band was Pantera, an American Heavy Metal Band. In addition to being an avid University of Oklahoma Sooner football fan, he enjoyed watching NASCAR; his favorite driver being #14,Tony Stewart. During his teenage years he met his best friend, Robert Powell and the two where nearly inseparable until a tragic accident took the life of his friend, Robert. During this time, however, David adopted Robertís family and they have remained close throughout the years. David passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 as a result of injuries received in a single car accident on the Coyote Trail near his home in Sand Springs at the age of twenty-eight. He is survived by his father, Thomas Drake of Modesto, California; mother, Debra Shannon of Vinita, Oklahoma; brother, Phillip Christopher Drake, Tulsa, Oklahoma; two sisters, Stephanie Drake of Langley, Oklahoma and Rebecca Drake of Modesto, California; his beloved adopted family, Mary Powell of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; brother, Alan Powell of Tulsa, Oklahoma and a sister, Erin Powell of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; Scott Simpson of Tulsa, Oklahoma. A memorial service will be held 2:00 PM Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at the Chapel of the Valley of the Saints at Memorial Park Cemetery with Casey Muse officiating.