Dr. David James Drake

David James Drake was born in Ashton, Iowa where his father was a Presbyterian Minister. He has three older siblings, Dorothy, Helen and Paul. When Dave was nine his family moved to Lennox, South Dakota when his father accepted a call to Ebenezer Presbyterian Church. His mother and father encouraged all of the Drake siblings to study a musical instrument. They each practiced their instrument in a room of the parsonage for one hour before school each morning. While Dave's instrument in those days was the violin, his real musical love was to sing. Dave lettered in many sports in high school, but at University of Dubuque he sang in choir, madrigal groups, and quartets. He served as an undertaker's apprentice all through high school, working for the town's funeral home and furniture store. He was frequently taken out of class even as a teenager to drive what was sometimes an ambulance and at other times the town hearse. In his last year of high school he was drafted into the Army Signal Core. The last part of his service in the Army was spent in the Presidio of San Francisco where his skill at the typewriter earned him a placed in a high level general's office. Dave came to know His Savior early in life and was exposed to many missionaries who stayed with his family. He knew early that he wanted to be a missionary doctor. When WWII was over and his father passed away early in life, finances were tight, and with so many leaving the armed forces he knew he would never get into medical school in the US. By faith and without any real confirmation of a place in medical school at University of St. Andrews' in Scotland, he packed up his belongs, sailed across the Atlantic and showed up at the school. While they were not expecting him they accepted him and he began his arduous task of studying to be a missionary doctor. He returned to do his Internship and Surgical Residency at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. In 1961 Dave joined The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM) and began his 25 years of service at Karanda Mission Hospital in Zimbabwe. During his second term of service, Karanda Hospital became a front line hospital during the war for independence. Helicopters and military vehicles brought both civilian and military victims of landmines and gunshots to the hospital. During some of the war years Dave was the only doctor for miles. Many people owe their life to the care he gave to save life and limb. In these most difficult years when he lived on the front lines of the war zone in Zimbabwe he shared that Psalm 91 has meant much to him through the years. His life of dependence on the Lord for wisdom helped him through many amazing circumstances in his life as a doctor. In 1970, Dave was first introduced to Karen Holritz, a nurse getting ready for service with TEAM. They had a prolonged courtship during the wartime in Zimbabwe and were married on October 24, 1975. They were blessed with 2 children, Brad and Heather, both delivered by their proud father, and a grandchild Calvin James. Dave served as TEAM's Medical director beginning in 1991. He traveled the world encouraging those in TEAM's medical ministry. During his final years in Zimbabwe, Dave reached a point where he strongly felt that his sometimes 16 hour days at the hospital were but a band aide on the ongoing health problems. He was convinced that community based primary healthcare from a Christian perspective was the answer. As his vision shifted, he began work with Medical Ambassadors Incorporated (MAI) whose primary goal is community health evangelism. When Dave retired formally from TEAM he went full time with MAI. At his retirement at age 80, MAI announced that he had opened 22 new settings for Community Health Evangelism in East and West Africa. Dave was a never lacking in interests, his talents kept hospital equipment in working order. He also enjoyed many hobbies, including woodworking, weather and gardening. All his life he loved clocks and that passion grew to building his own grandfather clock. As a pilot of small airplanes, he never failed to be interested in reading anything related to air and space and was especially fascinated with military aircraft from WWII. He was a lover of life and learning. There was no subject, topic or craft that he couldn't master. In retirement Dave disliked not having a job to do. He always thought he should still be doing something. His life was given to the service of others. David James Drake beloved husband of Karen Born: October 31, 1927 to Arthur and Erna Drake Graduated to heaven surrounded by family: June 4, 2017 Our family Brad/Megan Heather/George Kundai/Brenda Lani/Larry Munya/NicholeOur Grandchildren Calvin Tawana Tadiwa, Olanna, Chinua Tinashe, Gianna Dave's Siblings Dorothy/Harry Westberg Helen Schneider Paul/Jean Drake Nieces and Nephews Tim, Steve Jon, Joia, Ted Rick, Gary, Pam And their spouses, children, and grandchildren Extended Family Bernie Holritz (father-in-law) Paul (brother-in-law)/Kathy Nathan, Jason, Joshua, Jeremy (nephews) And their families Friends Countless friends from all over the world Thank you to family and friends for all your love and support in these difficult days. There are many stories we could not capture in this short celebration of his life. Thank you for all the ways you help us keep the memories alive. Visitation 4-7PM Thursday, June 8 at HOLCOMB-HENRY-BOOM-PURCELL, 515 Hwy 96 W., Shoreview. Memorial service 12:00 Noon Friday, June 9 (gathering begins at 11AM) at CALVARY CHURCH, 2120 Lexington Ave., Roseville. Interment Fort Snelling.Memorials preferred to TEAM for Ministry of Karanda Mission Hospital.

Tributes

Dr. David James Drake

October 31, 1927 - June 4, 2017

Tributes

Dr. David James Drake

October 31, 1927 - June 4, 2017

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