Joseph Coleman "Joe" Drew

1940 - 2014

Drew, Joseph "Joe" Coleman EL CAJON -- Joe was born January 21, 1940 to Elmer Joseph Drew and Violet Coleman Drew in National City, CA, coming home to La Mesa to live all his growing up years. He attended Lemon Avenue School and Helix High School in La Mesa, CA. He attended the University of Wyoming where he met the love of his life, Kay, the very first week of school. After a motorcycle trip to the Panama Canal they married in September 1962. Working at the local paper and on nearby ranches, he graduated in 1963 with a degree in Business Administration. He joined the California National Guard at 17, enrolled in ROTC in college and became a U.S. Army Officer in July 1963. He served two years in the regular U.S. Army Infantry as a 2nd Lieutenant and a 1st Lieutenant. He was trained as an Army Ranger and was a Recon Platoon Leader and a Company Commander. Upon leaving the Army he joined the family business, Drew Ford, started by his father Elmer in 1927. Drew Ford has been ranked as one of the 100 largest volume Ford dealers in the nation for 30 consecutive years. Joe is known for treating his customers and employees fairly. He was active in his business and community life. He helped raise funds for various organizations in the county and served on various boards. He received many honors over the years including La Mesa "Man of the Year" in 1974, Grossmont Healthcare District Honoree of the Year, FFA Honorary Member for his support of the youth AG Program for East County and named the Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Wyoming in 2013. He was elected to the Grossmont High School District Board of Trustees and served as President. He was named a recipient of the 1989 TIME Magazine Quality Dealer Award. He served as Chairman on the National Ford Dealer Council of the Product Planning and Finance Committee. He was a founder of the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park. His hobbies over the years included hiking, back packing, running marathons, climbing the Matterhorn, riding motorcycles, hunting, fishing, organic gardening, woodworking, and history. Joe loved his family and friends. He will be remembered as a generous, caring husband, father and friend. Joe went home to the Lord on April 9, 2014. He is survived by his beloved wife, Kay; his daughter, Sarah Drew of Mill Valley; his son, Bill and daughter-in-law, Anna of Rancho Santa Fe; three grandchildren, Nicole, Paige and Greta; his sister, Esther Long of Parker Colorado and many nieces and nephews. His daughter Ann preceded him in death. We thank Grossmont Sharp Hospice for all their care and support to our family. Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15, 2014, at Shadow Mountain Community Church, 2100 Greenfield Dr., El Cajon CA 92019. Flowers may be sent to the church or memorial donations may be made to Grossmont Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 158, La Mesa, CA 91944 or Boy Scouts of America - Mataguay Maintenance Endowment Fund, 1207 Upas Street, San Diego, CA 92103.