Cecil Ray Drake Jr., 62, of Statesville, N.C., passed away Monday, June 6, 2022, at Novant Health in Huntersville, N.C.

Ray was born August 20, 1959, the son of the late Cecil Ray Drake Sr. and Margie Criswell Drake. He was raised by his father and mother, Shirley Annie Drake. Master Sgt. Drake retired from the U.S. Army after more than 24 years, having served honorably with the 82nd Airborne.

Along with his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his daughter, Christina Rae Drake.

Those left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife, Crystal Hoots Drake; his daughter, Jennifer Drake Sloop (Jamey); his son, Cameron Ray Drake (Carerra); his step-daughters, Christina Lafond (Cory), and Amber Myers (Josh); and his grandchildren, Tyler Drake (Kayla), Grayson Drake, Gabriel Drake, Dillion Hollar, Garrett Drake, and Layla Drake; his step grandchildren, Owen and Spencer Lafond; and two great grandchildren, Mason and Riley Drake.

A service honoring the life of Ray Drake will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, June 10, 2022, at Troutman Funeral Home Chapel. The family will visit with friends from 3 to 4 p.m. prior to the service. Full military honors will be conducted following the service. An outdoor celebration will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2022, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Lake Norman State Park, King Fisher Shelter.

Troutman Funeral Home is serving the family.