James R. Drake

December 2, 1944 - January 10, 2022 Jim Drake, TV/Movie Director, passed away on January 10, 2022 in Freeland, WA.
The measure of a person, as is often said, is how much they are loved by others. After only a few minutes in the presence of this accomplished, knowledgeable, and ever inquisitive soul, nearly everyone who crossed his path was led to an enduring love and respect for James Richard Drake.
After earning a degree in Communication at Stanford University, he moved on to New York City to earn his Masters Degree from Columbia University. Soon Jim became a staff Associate Director at CBS. He later moved to Los Angeles where he would soon join the emerging staff at Norman Lear's Production. His choice of career also introduced him to his soulmate, Brigit Jensen Drake, with whom he first worked on the legendary series, All In The Family. Jim's credits spanned hundreds of television shows as well as TV and theatrical movies. Among the many titles: Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman; Fernwood Tonight; SCTV, Who's The Boss; Buffalo Bill (nominated for a DGA award as well as an Emmy award); Newhart; The Golden Girls (earning another Emmy nomination); Night Court; Dave's World; The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and Police Academy IV.
In addition to his wife Brigit, he is survived by his daughter Christina, son Kevin and his daughter River, stepdaughter Christel Layton and husband Bob and their daughter Katrina, his brother Tom, and also by his first wife Kirsten.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Film Foundation (DGA) or Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle.