Franklin Drake Sr.

Franklin R. Drake Sr. PORTSMOUTH - Franklin Ralph Drake Sr., 70, departed this life Feb. 7, 2008, in his home in Midlothian, Va. He was the son of the late John Carroll and Carrie Ralph Drake. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Saunders "Dottie" Drake; his two sons, Franklin R. Drake Jr. and his wife Rene Dooley Drake and Eric Ryan Drake, all of Midlothian. He is also survived by his brother, Jean Drake; his brother-in-law, Buddy Saunders and his wife Joanna; his sister-in-law, Arleen Faulkner and her husband Bud; a brother-in-law, Horace Jr. Waldbauer; several nephews and nieces. He was also predeceased by another brother, J.C. Drake; and his two sisters-in-law, Ann Drake and Pee Wee Waldbauer He had a long career as a radio and television personality at WNOR, WGH, WITN in Washington, N.C., KLIF in Dallas and WAVY TV in Portsmouth. He later went into sales at WAVY as a local sales manager. He later moved to Richmond and worked with Jess Dubay at his advertising agency and he worked at Henrico Police Department in the criminal reports division. He served in the Naval Reserves for several years. A funeral will be held Monday at 1 p.m. in Loving Funeral Home, Churchland Chapel. Interment will be in Olive Branch Cemetery. The family will receive friends in the funeral home Sunday from 4 to 5 p.m. Condolences may be made to www.lovingfuneralhome.com.