Clayton Charles Drake

Clayton’s Mass may be viewed on this page starting at 1:45 pm on Friday:

Clayton Charles Drake, age 91, of Fargo, ND passed away peacefully January 23,2023, at his home surrounded by family. Clayton was born July 3, 1931 in Ada, Minnesota to Clara and Ray Drake.

He graduated from Ada High School and served in the Army until he was discharged due to a medical problem with his knees. Clayton found the love of his life early on in life in Phyllis. Clayton married Phyllis Lundon on October 21, 1952. Clayton and Phyllis lived in Ada for a short time while Clayton worked for Burlington Northern Railway. The railway needed a telegraphic encoder in Hillsboro, so the newlyweds relocated to Hillsboro. Clayton then saw an opportunity to be a proprietor and built a dry-cleaning business in Halstad, Minnesota. After a few years Clayton realized that the dry-cleaning business wasn’t as fast paced as he liked so he took a job selling life and health insurance and relocated back to Ada. Smith, Kline and French Pharmaceuticals Company was looking for a self-starter that was very ambitious and found that in Clayton so he joined their firm as pharmaceutical representative. Clayton and Phyllis moved to Mahnomen in 1969 to raise their seven children. There, Clayton found his love of farming. In order to support his wife and children, he needed to supplement farming so he took a job with his cousin John Olness as a surveyor for Country Kitchen franchises. He also became partners in several of the restaurants. Clayton had long hours on the road so to lessen the traveling hours he got his pilot’s license and purchased a twin Comanche airplane to travel to survey for new restaurants in Montana and Idaho. Clayton worked endless hours and was always looking for opportunities to better himself and his family. He was still farming when he decided that he needed to haul his own grain. It was then that he started a trucking company and began brokering grain. With all things in life, Clayton dreamed big and always kept learning and growing. One of his largest deals was with Anheuser Busch which he negotiated on the golf course. Clayton enjoyed playing golf immensely and made many a friend on the golf course.

Clayton is survived by his wife, Phyllis and their seven children, Deborah (James) Wille, Theresa (Ken) Spaeth, Gail (Garry) Kjos, Denise (Kim) Kemmer, James (Karen) Drake, Deanna (Mark) Newell, and Anthony Drake. Clayton loved his grandchildren and he had many: Michael, Tony, Chris, Erin, Matt, Andy, Ashley, Angie, Kate, Sarah, Nicole, Stephanie, Adam, Luke, Samuel, Brady, Rylan and Olivia. Clayton also had the joy of thirty-two great grandchildren.

Clayton is preceded in death by his grandson David Wille, his parents Ray and Clara Drake, his brother Dean Drake his sister Donna Hoff, his sister Lucille, and her son Daryl Miller.

Clayton’s funeral has been delayed because of his love for his wife; even in death, he put her first and wanted her to be strong enough after an injury as well as an illness to be able to attend his funeral.

Clayton’s funeral will be held at Sts. Anne and Joachim Catholic Church in Fargo on April 21st at 2 P.M. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the funeral. Interment will be held in Ada, Minnesota at the Ada Cemetery.