Martin R. “Marty” Drake

RICHMOND, Texas -Martin R. "Marty" Drake, 56, of Richmond, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, October 7, 2008, after a lengthy illness.

He was born on July 11, 1952, in Laurium, a son of Clinton "Cut" and Joan (Dupuis) Drake. He was a 1970 graduate of Lake Linden-Hubbell High School.

After high school, he served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Germany. He was then employed by the White Pine Copper Company and Iron Workers Local 783 in Marquette. In 1979, he relocated to Texas and was a member of Iron Workers Local 84 in Houston until his retirement in 2007.

Marty was also a member of the American Legion Post 90 in Lake Linden.

On December 28, 1979, he was married to the former Nancy Hilden at St. Joseph's Church in Lake Linden.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Marty's heart remained in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and he looked forward to summer vacations when he would celebrate the Fourth of July in his hometown and spend time at the cottage in Lac La Belle, cooking for family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his son, Clinton of Houston, Texas; and his brother, Terry of Aliso Viejo, Calif. Other survivors include his uncle, Joseph "Ben" (Ruth) Drake of Lake Linden; brothers-in-law, John (Teri) Hilden of Lino Lakes, Minn., and Andrew Hilden of Kearsarge. He is also survived by a niece and nephew, along with numerous cousins.

Memorial services will be held at a later date under the direction of the Pearce Funeral Home in Lake Linden.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be given to Keweenaw Home Nursing and Hospice, 311 6th Street, Calumet, MI 49913.