Theodore O. Drake

Theodore Omar "Ted" Drake

Theodore "Ted" Omar Drake, 83, Topeka, died Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003, in Topeka. Mr. Drake was chief engineer of master control for WIBW-TV for 37 years before retiring. He served as a torpedoman's mate 1st class in the Navy during World War II. He was assigned to the USS Goff. He was born Dec. 8, 1920, in Topeka, the son of William Joseph and Barbara Marie Anweiler Drake. He lived in Ozawkie from 1972 to 1986 and in Meriden from 1986 until he moved back to Topeka in 1999. Mr. Drake was a member of Golden Rule Lodge No. 90 AF&AM and the Topeka York Rite Bodies. He married Sara Jean Ellis Drake on Nov. 29, 1943, in Topeka. She died Jan. 27, 1985. Survivors include a son, Joseph M. Drake and his wife, Mellanie, Topeka; a daughter, Anarene D. Hedstrom and her husband, Jerry, Topeka; and grandchildren, Bryan Hedstrom, Amber Drake, Joseph A. Drake and Renea Wilson and her husband, Kyle, all of Topeka, and Kelly Davis and her husband, Don, Fort Worth, Texas. Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel. Burial with military honors conducted by a Fort Riley funeral detail will be in Topeka Cemetery. Mr. Drake will lie in state at the funeral chapel after 2 p.m. Thursday. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.penwellgabel.com .