Darwin Max Drake was born March 11, 1935 in Harmon, Oklahoma to Leslie Allen and Vera Leone (Simmons) Drake. He departed this life on June 10, 2008 at the age of 73 years 2 months and 30 days. Darwin attended school at Arnett graduating with the class of 1954.

On May 16, 1956 Darwin was united in marriage to Arveda May Lynes at the Vici Nazarene Church. This union was blessed with four Children, Darveda, Kenneth, Ricky and Steve. From May 1956 to 1958 Darwin and his family lived in Nebraska, Wyoming and South Dakota while he worked for a seismograph company. In 1958 they moved to the Texas panhandle for two years before moving back to Harmon, OK to live on the family farm. After living there for two years they made their home in Woodward, OK, where he worked as a carpenter and lived for the remainder of his life.

On December 29, 2005 Darwin was baptized at the Faith United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Carpenters Union and the Moose Lodge.

Darwin loved spending time with his family and friends especially his grandkids. He also enjoyed playing darts, woodworking, and talking with neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his parents Leslie Allen and Vera Leone Drake, three brothers Lyndell, Verlin (Shorty) and Cecil Drake and one sister Coetta Drake.

Darwin is survived by wife Arveda of the home in Woodward, OK, daughter and son-in-law, Darveda & Allen Arnett of Midland, TX, son Kenneth Drake of Woodward, OK, son and daughter-in-law Ricky and Traci Drake of Harmon, OK, and son Steve Drake and companion Julie Gage of Woodward, OK; by six grandchildren, two great-grandsons, many nieces, nephews and a host of friends.