Thomas Jefferson Drake Jr.

Thomas Jefferson Drake, Jr., 74, of Nashville, TN, quietly passed away on the morning of July 8, 2025, at St. Thomas Hospital. Tom was born on March 13, 1951 in Texarkana, AR, the son of Margaret Irene Drake (Frederick) and Thomas Jefferson Drake, Jr.

Visitation will be held Saturday, July 12 at Bellevue Presbyterian Church (100 Cross Timbers Dr., Nashville) from 9:00-11:00 am followed by a memorial service at 11:00am.

After graduating from Bellevue High School in 1969, Tom attended the University of Tennessee (Go Vols!), earning a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a focus on Radio and Television. Tom married Ruth Ann (Messina) on January, 9, 1971 in Nashville, TN. They moved to Georgetown, SC where Tom worked as a radio announcer.

In 1983, Tom earned an MBA from Tennessee State University. He graduated from the Nashville School of Law in 1988 and “hung out his shingle” as a solo practice attorney for 37 years. He believed his greatest service in life was a commitment to be of help and to offer the best legal advice possible. He was admitted to the Supreme Court of Tennessee, the US Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. He was a member of the Nashville Bar Association andtheTennessee Bar Association.

Tom was actively involved in the community including the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce and served as past president, past district director, and a director of the Bellevue Exchange Club. He was a charter member of the Bellevue Presbyterian Church, where he has served as a deacon and elder, and was an active member of the choir. He especially loved working on cars, specifically MGs, woodworking, music, cooking, telling dad jokes, writing puns, and watching the Tennessee Titans as a season ticket holder. Tom’s family and friends fondly remember his smiles, laughs, jokes, homemade apple pies, hugs, historical knowledge, and love of music. His daily encouragement of “Something good is going to happen to you today,” is something his sons continue to treasure and repeat to their own children.

Tom is survived by his wife Ruth Ann, of 54 years, and their three sons: Thomas J. Drake, III (Nicole) Augusta, GA, Thaddeus Jeremy Drake (Carla) Cookeville, TN, and Trenton Joshua Drake (Connie) Folsom, CA; grandchildren, Thomas J. Drake, IV (Sydney), Samuel Edward Drake, Molly Margaret Drake, Cynthia Mae Drake, David Michael Drake, Quinn Cordero, Hannah Kate Drake, Hunter Evan Drake, Holden Hall Drake, Sophie Ming Drake; brother David Drake (Sally) Decatur, TN; sister Laura Mae Bishop Norcross, GA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bellevue Exchange Club Foundation, memo: Tom Drake Memorial Scholarship P.O. Box 210945, Nashville, TN 37221.