Washington, Utah – Vernon Lee Drake, 84, passed away January 1, 2025. He was born November 29, 1940, in Alamosa, Colorado, the 5th child of Henry Russell Drake and Sirrilda Marie Woods Drake. His siblings were Curtis Russell, Vera Marie, Melvin Melrose, and Mary Alice.

Vernon attended school in Alamosa. When he graduated from high school he was still 17 years old. Two weeks after graduation he was on his way to boot camp after joining the U.S. Navy. He went to the Navy's Aviation Electronics School and various other Mathematics and Electronic Equipment Schools. He was then deployed to Utility Squadron VU4 in Oceana, Virginia. During his hitch in the Navy, he married Dorothy Ann Giglio in Taos, New Mexico in 1959.

Vernon's oldest child, Martin Russell was born on March 12, 1961, while Vernon was still deployed in Virginia. His hitch was up in April 1962, and they moved back to Alamosa. Shortly after, his second son, Montgomery Anthony was born on September 18, 1962.

Vernon was offered a position with the Federal Aviation Administration as an Electronics Technician at the Salt Lake City Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). He and his family moved to Salt Lake City in November 1962. He advanced from GS-5 grade to GS-11 grade in 2 years. He worked in the radar unit on rotating shift work.

As computer technology began to be part of his responsibilities, he went to training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. He was then promoted to Asst. Systems Engineer. He worked shift work for FAA for a total of 24 years. He then moved into a managerial job for a time and his marriage came to an end in 1979.

He married Margaret Martin in 1980. They moved quite a bit as he moved up the ladder in management and she followed her interest in teaching electronics. They moved to Denver in 1980. Vernon worked in Longmont, Colorado at the Denver ARTCC.

During their time in Denver, they had many nice dinners out with his sister, Mary Alice and her husband, Merlyn Boss. Vernon had an opportunity and bid on an assistant manager's job at the Chicago ARTCC. He was selected in 1987, and they moved to the Chicago suburbs. The ARTCC was the busiest Air Traffic Facility in the world with the attic full of asbestos that needed to be remediated. Vernon was promoted to manager a year later and managed a staff of approximately 100 technicians and engineers and was responsible for 24 hours of operation every day.

Vernon secured a job as manager of Houston ARTCC after 5 eventful years in Chicago. They moved to Houston in 1992. He retired from federal service at his earliest opportunity in March of 1996. They moved to Palmdale, California in 1998 when Margaret secured the job as Dean of Technical Education at Antelope Valley College.

Vernon spent the next 14 years as house husband and support for Margaret. When she retired in 2012, they moved to the St. George, Utah area. They loved the location.

Vernon and Margaret have always had two or more "rescue" cats as pets.  They were never quite planned, but it seemed like God would find a kitten and say, "I really need you to take care of this one for me."  The three current cats are really feeling the loss of their "papa".  Also, Vernon and Margaret are big supporters of Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, UT.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., with a visitation prior at 9:00 a.m., in the Metcalf Mortuary Chapel, 288 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah. Interment will be in the Washington City Cemetery, 300 Park View Drive, Washington, Utah.