Kyle Stanley Drake, Jr.

1933-2022

Kyle Stanley Drake, Jr., long time resident of Opelika, died peacefully on October 15, 2022 at East

Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, Alabama. He was 89 years old. Born on August 3, 1933, to Kyle S.

Drake and Lorene Henderson Drake in Camp Hill, Alabama, he and his family became residents of

Opelika in 1936. He was married to Mary Ann Shippey Drake on August 30, 1952, and was blessed to

have Mary Ann as his wife for sixty-two years, until her death on February 12, 2015.

He is survived by their three sons and their wives: Randall (Renee) of Brentwood, Tennessee, Russell

(Jay) of Hoover, Alabama, and Kyle (Pam) of Auburn, Alabama; grandchildren Justin Drake, Melissa

Drake, Christian Drake, and Mallory Britt. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Corrie Drake.

He attended Northside Elementary School and graduated from Clift High School in 1951. He graduated

from the University of Alabama with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1955 and later that year

entered the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and served on active duty for two years. He was released from

active duty in 1957 and served with the U. S. Army Reserves until 1964 when he was honorably

discharged with the rank of First Lieutenant.

He entered the private mechanical engineering and contracting business in 1957 and operated that

business until 1983. During that period he was privileged to serve as President of the Alabama

Cattlemen’s Association, member and chairman of the Opelika Water Board, member of the AmSouth

Bank city Board of Directors, and member and President of the Opelika City Commission.

In 1983, he became affiliated with Auburn University as a mechanical engineer tasked with developing a

campus-wide chilled water system to provide air conditioning to university facilities. In 1985 he became

Director of its Physical Plant and later that year became its Assistant Vice-President for Facilities. He was

later honored to serve as Acting Vice-President for Administration. He retired from Auburn University on

September 1, 2000.

He became a member of First United Methodist Church in 1945 and served as member and chairman of a

number of its boards and committees. He was honored to serve as a church school teacher, Stephen

Minister, and certified Lay Speaker for many years.

Throughout his life, Kyle sought out adventure. He became a pilot in middle age and flew his plane all

over the country; always realizing a peaceful calm while flying. He also had a passion for sailing and he

and Mary Ann often sought the comfort of the sea. He also had hobbies such as photography and

woodturning. Each hobby was accompanied by a spirit of determination to excel. It is what drove him to

be so successful in his life. His true gift was his generosity. He never wanted anyone to know of his

countless acts of kindness and philanthropy.

A private burial service is scheduled for October 21, 2022 at 9:00 AM at Garden Hills Cemetery (with a

memorial service to follow at First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall with visitation from 10:00

AM-11:00 AM and the service from 11:00AM-12:00 PM).

The family respectfully declines the gift of flowers and suggests that memorial gifts be directed to the

Kyle S. Drake Jr. Memorial Fund at the University of Alabama, Advancement Services Box 870101, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, First United Methodist Church, or to the

charity of your choice.