William Charles “Chuck” Drake July 24, 1964 - July 6, 2023

William Charles “Chuck” Drake, age 58, of Yukon, OK, passed away on Thursday, July 6, 2023 in Oklahoma City from complications related to pneumonia.

He is preceded in death by his grandmother, Lola King, grandfather, Virgil King, and uncle, Dean King. He leaves behind his wife, Cheryl, and three children, Ashley, Megan, and Justin. He also leaves behind his mother, Lawana King Bray, father, Danny George (Sharry), and brother, Joe (Valerie). Chuck was a family man and made an effort to spend time with all of his extended family: his parents-in-law, Ed and Sharon Turk of Chandler, sisters-in-law Debbie (Glen) and Vicky (Paul), step siblings David (Kim) and Marjorie (Adam), nieces Jessica (Blain), Devin, Rebecca, Alexis, and Elizabeth (Larry), and nephews Micah (Ashley), Andrew (Charlotte), and Caden.

Chuck was a loyal husband, loving father, devoted son, and avid hunter and fisherman. He was born on July 24, 1964 in Cushing, OK. He graduated from Grace Christian Academy in Oklahoma City. Chuck met his beloved wife, Cheryl Turk Drake, formerly of Chandler, while working as an armored guard for a bank in downtown Oklahoma City, where Cheryl worked in the vaults. He would always bring her candy before finally asking to see her outside of work. They married on August 7, 1993. As they welcomed their three children, Chuck was committed to teaching his children, nieces and nephews, and any who wanted to learn a love of fishing and the outdoors. For many years, he was involved in an annual fishing derby for kids, where he would convince novice anglers that they should kiss the worm for good luck, and he also competed semiprofessionally in bass fishing tournaments with his fishing partner, Roy Fryer. Each year, he took a trip to visit his friend Cecil’s cabin in McAlester, OK with at least one of his children, where they hunted and made lifelong friends and memories. Chuck worked at Tinker Air Force Base as a third generation civilian mechanic for 25+ years, first as an aircraft electrician on B-52s, and later as an aircraft analyst. Whenever groups visited for tours, Chuck was the person who showed them around with great pride and humorous storytelling. But wherever he was, the topics he could talk about the most about were his pride regarding his wife and children, and, usually, whatever bass fishing tournament in which he’d recently participated.

Chuck is remembered as a generous friend who gave all that he could; he could be counted on to lend a helping hand for household projects and keep you entertained with a long, humorous story after he finished it. In his last act of generosity, Chuck was an organ donor, and even in death is giving someone else a chance at life. In all facets of his life, Chuck leaves behind a legacy of humor, hard work, generosity, and loyalty.

Visitation will be held on Monday, July 10 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Buchanan Funeral Service, and Tuesday, July 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at New Heights Baptist Church. Services will be held immediately following the Tuesday visitation at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Casts for Kids, a charity that teaches children with special needs to fish.