Rodney Joe Drake

Rodney Joe Drake, 50, also known as Rod by everyone who knew him, passed away on September 18, 2021. Rod was born on December 25, 1970, in Marshall, Arkansas. Rod's biggest accomplishments in life was his family, being a Pastor, a father, a Coach, and a friend. Greatest of all was being a good and faithful servant of the Lord. The family would like to invite anyone who knew Rod or who wants to show support for his family to join them as they celebrate his life. Funeral arrangements are as follows: Visitation: Sunday, September 26, 2021, 6-8pm. Funeral Service: Monday, September 27, 2021 at 1pm. Wade Funeral Home, 4141 W Pioneer Pkwy, Arlington TX 76013. The service will be livestreamed for any who cannot attend. Rod and Kim met in 1986 when she visited his church with a mutual friend. She was 12 and he was 16. They remained good friends until 1991 when Kim was 16 and finally allowed to date. The rest is love history. They got married on February 4, 1995 and went on to have 3 wonderful children. Clayton Shane arrived in 1996 making them a family of 3. Chloe Elizabeth arrived in 2003 and was the first girl on the Drake side of the family in decades. Cade Marshall followed in 2009 completing the family. Rod and Kim were married for 26 amazing years. Welcoming crew into Heaven included his Mama Betty Lou Drake, his Aunt Wilma Hale and cousins Tony Hale and Tonya Russian. He leaves behind his wife Kim, his children Clayton Drake, Chloe Drake and Cade Drake, his Dad Roy Charles Drake, Sister Shelia Villars and husband Joe, Brother Keith Trammell and wife Sherry, Father-in-law John Wampler and wife Carol, Brother-in-law Johnny Wampler and wife Jennifer, fur babies Cricket Piper and Ollie and many Aunts, Uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and family. Rod achieved many accomplishments in his life. He graduated Lamar High School in Arlington TX, class of 1989. He was recruited by 4 professional baseball teams but chose college instead. He attended Howard Payne University and Oklahoma Christian University. He retired from the City of Arlington after 20 years to faithfully follow God's calling into the ministry. He graduated Freedom Bible College in Rogers, Arkansas in 2011. He was the Vice President of Showtime Softball. He served 3 Years as President of the Arlington High Softball Booster Club. He coached soccer and baseball for many years, even before having his own children. He coached Clayton's baseball team for 11 years. He coached Chloe's softball rec teams and Select teams for 13 years. He played a pivotal role in recruiting many girls to college softball. He Pastored Faith Baptist Fellowship Church in White Settlement TX for 6 years until God took him home September 18, 2021. Rod was a man after God's own heart. He loved Jesus, his wife, his children, his family, friends, and people in general. Well, except of course for Florida Georgia Line, Carole Baskin, ATM fees, mosquitos, Colin Kaepernick, Hillary Clinton, Cancer, guys who eat salads at cookouts, Joe Biden, people who jog in place at red lights, Gwen Berry, Covid, dudes with man buns, anyone who dislikes sweet tea, guys named Chet, Lebron James, Jake Paul, Roger Goodell, Satan and OJ. Watching Rod's life story from the sidelines I see a consistent theme. Rod loved people and people loved him. They were drawn to his sense of humor, quiet demeanor, devout loyalty, love of God, family and above all else his love of Church. Let's also not forget his impressive beard! Those who knew him know exactly what I'm talking about. People would see him preaching online and come to his church just to see his beard and hear him preach. He was very proud of that beard. This is just one of many ways that God can use every part of us to reach his children. Rod put aside his desire to chase Major League Baseball and instead poured his passion into his ministry, his wife, his family, his children, and even other people's children. His passion for people and his God given athletic talent for “ball” allowed him to reach people that most couldn't. He won hearts for the Lord just by being himself. He put in the hard work behind the scenes. He kept showing up. He kept loving people. He had faith that God would do the rest if he did his part, and God did. There was a sermon Rod preached that resonated so deeply with his church members that it became a chant at the end of many future sermons. In a way it was kind of a battle cry and I believe that if God gave Rod the opportunity to get one last message to us it would be this. “Go get God!” Wade Family Funeral Home (817) 274-9233