State Rep. Jack Drake, R-Griswold, who has represented District 21 in the Iowa House since 1992, has died. He was 81 years old.
State Sen. Tom Shipley, R-Nodaway, said Drake died Sunday morning. Shipley said Drake had been ill for some time.
“Jack was as conscientious a representative of his district as you could ever find,” Shipley said. “He was very much in tune, and he made himself very visible to be in touch with what people were doing and thinking. He’s going to be greatly missed. He was very respected both in the capitol and his district.”
According to the Iowa House Republicans website, Drake was currently serving as chairman of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee and also sat on the Agriculture, Appropriations and State Government committees.
Drake was a former board member of the Pottawattamie County Zoning Board, former president of the East Pottawattamie County Farm Bureau and former president of the Pottawattamie County Extension Council.
Funeral services for Drake will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Griswold United Methodist Church in Griswold. Visitation will be 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, also at the Griswold United Methodist Church. Drake will be buried at Griswold Cemetery.
Drake is survived by his wife, Shirley, their four children, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.