Quinton S. Drake passed away peacefully on Thursday November 8th at the home of his daughter and son-in-law in Florida after a long illness. He was 87. Son of Thomas P. and Mattie C. Drake, Quinton was born June 29, 1925 in Childress Texas where he grew up and attended school. He served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Maryland during World War II and saw battle in the Gulf of Leyte in the Pacific. His ship was hit by torpedoes and kamikaze planes during the time on board but, fortunately, he sustained only minor injuries to his hearing. He served primarily as a machinist during his time in the Navy and often talked of his service with pride. When he returned from the war, he attended Texas Tech University where he graduated in 1950 with a degree in chemical engineering. His career in the oil and gas industry took him from Texas to Louisiana, Nebraska, and Colorado as he worked for various firms. After a long and successful career, he retired from his position as a Vice-President at KN Energy. He and his wife Billie Drake (now deceased) retired to Georgetown, Texas in 1984 to enjoy an active life of golf, fishing, and friendship. They returned to Childress in 2003 to be closer to friends and family, particularly his sister Mildred Wilson. In his last years, Quinton was especially blessed by his friendship with Wanda McBee and her daughter and son-in-law Rayetta and Alan Elkins. Throughout his life, Quinton was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in each town in which he resided, and he often served as a Sunday school leader. He was involved in many professional associations in the oil and gas industry but he was most proud to be the founding member of The Natural Gas Men of Houston in 1961, an organization that grew to have thousands of members. He loved to dance, read, and play bridge. He was also an avid golfer, bowler, and fisherman. Quinton is survived by his sister Mildred Wilson, longtime Childress resident, his daughter and son-in law, Cherie and Bobby Maestas who reside Tallahassee, Florida, sons Michael Drake in Houston and Terry Drake in Lubbock and daughter Cynthia Page in Sacramento. He is also survived by many loving grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. A funeral service will be held Saturday December 1st at 2pm in the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel followed by a graveside service at the Childress Cemetery. Rev. George Price from the First United Methodist Church will conduct the services. A visitation will be held at the Johnson Funeral Home on Friday, November 30th from 7pm to 8 pm. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions in his name to the Childress Public Library 117 Ave. B, NE Childress, TX 79201. He loved reading, especially westerns. The staff and volunteers were so kind to bring him the books he loved after he was unable to get out to the library. He asked that we support the library so that others could continue to enjoy it as much as he.