Richard James Drew

Richard James Drew, 68, passed away Monday, Oct. 11, 2010. He was born in February 1942 in Los Angeles, Calif., the only child of Charles Ernest and Ann Mildred Drew. Rich grew up in South Gate, Calif., and attended South Gate High School, where he played football. He graduated in February of 1958, just prior to his 17th birthday.  He worked for a few years before entering the U.S. Army Reserves, where he was encouraged by people he met there to return to school. He took their advice and attended Compton Junior College, where he made many lifelong friends. Rich then attended USC, where he was a devoted Trojan fan. He graduated with a degree in business in 1966.  Following college he went to work for Xerox. A Led Zeppelin concert he attended at the Forum with a friend sparked an impromptu decision to quit his job, buy a VW van (that he picked up in Germany) and spent seven months on the road touring Europe - a special experience that was a major highlight of his life. In 1973, he married Debra O''Brien and their son, Jeff was born in 1977. They lived in Long Beach until they moved to El Dorado Hills, Calif., where Rich raised Jeff as single parent.  After moving back to Southern California to care for his mother, he met and married Ginny Sams. They relocated to Morro Bay in 1989, where they have resided ever since. Rich worked for Coldwell Banker Liberty Real Estate until April of 2010, when he associated with Franklin Real Estate and Rentals.  Although he enjoyed golf, traveling, and walks along the Boardwalk, his greatest interest was sports - the Dodgers, Lakers, Rams and especially the USC Trojans, who he followed diligently. He seemed to know as much about their possible recruits and their potential as the coaches did.  He thought the trip of his lifetime was when he and Ginny attended the USC-Notre Dame game in South Bend in 2007. Rich is survived and will be missed by his wife, Ginny; son, Jeff Drew; step-son, Todd Sams (Maureen); step-daughter, Kelly Emmott (Ian); grandchildren Connor and Madison Sams; sister-in-law, Linda Hardesty; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Ann; aunt and uncle Flo and Cliff Doolittle; cousin, Alice; and dear friend, Mike White.   A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, at Benedict-Rettey, 1401 Quintana Road in Morro Bay.  In lieu of flowers, give a hug to the people that you love. Fight on! Benedict-Rettey 772-7382 Morro Bay