James Anderson Drake

COOKEVILLE CHAPEL - James Anderson Drake passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025. He had spent his final weeks surrounded by his loving wife, his children and their families, and many close friends. He reminisced and told the stories of his life until the end.

James was born on April 29, 1927, to the late Jesse Allen Drake and Mary Draper Anderson Drake. He was delivered by Dr. W.A. Howard at Howard Hospital (acquired by the city of Cookeville that same year) on E. Broad Street in Cookeville. He grew up on S. Jefferson Avenue and attended Cookeville City School and Central High School. He was a member of the Broad Street church of Christ while growing up.

At the age of seventeen he convinced his widowed mother to sign for him to enter the U.S. Navy. He dropped out of high school and entered basic training at Naval Station Great Lakes. He served aboard an LCI ship in the South Pacific in World War II. When the war ended, he returned to Tennessee and studied at both Tennessee Polytechnic Institute (now Tennessee Tech University) and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He acquired his J.D. from National Law School (now George Washington University Law School) in D.C. while working as a special agent for the FBI. He was admitted to the D.C. Bar on October 27, 1952.

In the summer of 1952, he had the extraordinary fortune of meeting the love of his life, Maxine. They were married in D.C. on October 25, 1952.

His career was with the Federal Government as an FBI agent, as attorney for the Corps of Engineers, and as attorney for the Small Business Administration. His career took his family to many places, but his dream was to retire to his hometown of Cookeville, which he and Maxine did in 1983. In retirement, he served as County Attorney for Putnam County until his second retirement.

The highlight of his life was his many fishing trips to Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada with his long-time fishing buddy, Stan White. He talked about these trips all the time and through the years others were invited along. As his sons grew older, they also were included. But it was his late son Gilbert who fell in love with this trip and continued the tradition. On his last trip he was accompanied by Gilbert and Gilbert’s daughter, Leah-the only girl to ever get the honor.

He was a lifelong Christian and member of the church of Christ wherever he lived. He was a member of Collegeside church of Christ at the time of his death.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 72 years, Maxine Drake, and their children, James Anderson Drake, Jr., Barbara (Dan) Fenlon, and daughter-in-law Janet Drake. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Amanda (Ian) Lomas, Andy (Tulanè) Drake, Laura Beth Drake, Hannah (Luke) McKee, Leah (Christian) Shrader, and Drake (Lilly) Fenlon; and by his great-grandchildren, London Lomas, Paisley Lomas, Davy McKee, Beau Shrader, Charlie McKee, Harper James Shrader, and Amèlie Drake.

He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Gilbert Allen Drake, and his siblings, Charlie Drake, Eleanor Drake Mitchell, and Walter Drake.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 29 at Collegeside Church of Christ. Visitation with family and friends will be on Tuesday from noon until 2 p.m.

The family would like to thank the loving staff, nurses, and caregivers at Heritage Pointe Senior Living and Gentiva Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to the charity of your choice.

Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111. You may share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.