Obituary of Richard Drew

Richard Edwin Drew, our father, mentor, friend and hero, died May 25, 2014, at his residence in the arms of his youngest son. Born September 18, 1926, in Arcanum, Ohio, he was the son of Deo and Letha (Delk) Drew. He enjoyed traveling and took his family all over the United States. Richard was a master carpenter who built many things with both his sons. He also was an excellent basketweaver, a talent he passed on to his grandsons and one daughter. He loved a good joke and was delighted when daughter, Julie, would call at 3:00 a.m. just to tell him a joke. A friend, Ray, had a saying when you asked him how he was doing, his reply was "Well, I'm still on top of the sod." Pops loved this phrase and repeated it daily. He taught his children how to love and how to forgive not only others but yourself. He married Phyllis J. Boehme on April 6, 1957, in Ohio She preceded him in death on November 1, 2013. He was also preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Paul Drew. Mr. Drew is survived by his children: Candy Cagle, Mike Beasley, Julia Goodson, Holly Harkey and Richard E. Drew; sisters, Marjorie Alexander, Nancy Plantz and Rosalee Ross; 17 grandchildren and countless great-grandchildren. As his children, we were truly blessed to have him as a father. If we had a choice to pick anyone we wanted, we are certain that there could be no other. He was always there through good times and bad and we can barely recall ever seeing him get mad. He listened with an open mind and an open heart. He never held a grudge. He never met a stranger. He never let us down. He always taught us to see things from the other side no matter how mad or hurt we may have been. We will miss him more than words can express and whenever someone mentions fathers, we can honestly say ours was one of the best. We love you Dad with all our hearts. He is now reunited with the love of his life and is no longer in pain so we rejoice in a life well-lived. We will miss you, Daddy, so please watch over us.