Obituary: George Drakos

George Drakos 1927 ~ 2006 FRUIT HEIGHTS - Our beloved father and grandpa passed away May 31, 2006 after a valiant and courageous battle with cancer. Dad was born Feb. 4, 1927 in Farmington, the fourth of eight children of Lewis and Kathrine Drakos. Dad grew up in Kaysville. He graduated Davis High School after receiving a military deferment to finish. After graduating he served his country in World War II stationed for the most part in Italy. Upon returning he married his high school sweetheart, Leora Henrie. They settled in Kaysville and raised a family of six children. Many older Kaysvillites will remember the farm and fruit stand Dad owned and operated for many years. In 1957 Dad gave up farming and bought his childhood home from his parents. He began selling a new product for home improvement, aluminum siding. He did so well his first year Alcoa approached him to work for them. Dad became the Western States Distributor for Alcoa having offices in California, Arizona, Reno, Las Vegas, Idaho and two in Utah. Dad was respected and admired for his attributes in these states for providing hundreds of jobs as well as helping many start businesses of their own in exterior home improvement. Dad was an avid golfer, but most of all he loved fishing. He enjoyed his place in Manila and taking his boat out on the Flaming Gorge. His family and friends enjoyed many good times with him there where he was referred to as "Flaming George Drakos." Dad had the opportunity to travel to different areas to fish including Alaska and caught a world record Tarpin on a fly off the coast of Costa Rica. Dad will be greatly missed by his family. "He was the best grandpa." We were blessed to have him for a father. We all realized that throughout all the years Dad remained a farmer at heart. We will miss the "Who has the best garden" competitions. He is survived by his six children, Steve Drakos, Sunset; Diane Ruybal, Layton; Debra Drakos, Nampa, Idaho; Jeff Drakos, Ogden; Georgina Drakos, Layton; Mike Drakos, Kaysville; 19 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren; sisters Penelope, Stella, Marina and Mary and brothers Chris and Steve. Preceded in death by his parents Louis and Kathrine and his sister Violet. A special thanks to all his neighbors in Fruit Heights who watched over Dad and we wish to thank the V.A. Oncology Department. Because of their care and Dad's will, we had him for a couple years longer than expected and we are grateful for the quality of life he was able to maintain. Funeral services will be held Monday, June 5, 2006 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist's Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road, with Reverend Father John C. Emanuelson, Greek Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration, officiating. Friends and family may call Sunday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the mortuary. Trisagion Prayer services will be held at 7:30 p.m. Interment, Kaysville City Cemetery. e-mail condolences to the family at llm@lindquistmortuary.com