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Obituary of Judge Walter Homer Drake, Jr.

By Scott Riddle on December 12, 2022
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The Honorable Walter Homer Drake, Jr.
November 21, 1932 – December 9, 2022.
Retired United States Bankruptcy Judge Walter Homer Drake, Jr., 90, passed away Friday, December 9, 2022 at his home in Newnan. He was born November 21, 1932 in Colquitt, Georgia to the late Walter Homer Drake and Mary Lois Cowart Drake. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ruth Bridges Drake, and brother, Dr. Henry C. Drake.Judge Drake moved to Newnan when he was eight years old when his father became the Superintendent of Schools. He was the Valedictorian of the 1950 graduating class of Newnan High School. Judge Drake was a graduate of Mercer University Undergraduate and Law School, 1954 A.B. and 1956 LL.B. After graduating law school, he enrolled in the U.S. Army where he served as an officer in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps from 1956 to 1959. After his military service, he practiced law for several years before being appointed as United States Bankruptcy Judge in 1964 for the Northern District of Georgia. He served as Chief Judge from 1968 to 1976. Judge Drake left the bench in 1976 to become a partner in the law firm of Swift, Currie, McGhee & Hiers. In 1979, he felt the calling to return to the bench and desired to spend more time with his family, so he resumed his career as a bankruptcy judge for the Northern District of Georgia until his retirement in 2021. Judge Drake was the longest serving bankruptcy judge in United States history and one of the longest serving federal judges.

Judge Drake’s love of his alma mater was evident in his commitment of service to Mercer University. He served on the Mercer University Board of Trustees from 2009-2011 and received the designation of Life Trustee in 2013. Judge Drake received the Mercer University Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2017 and the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the Mercer Law School in 2003. Mercer recognized his commitment to the University in 2012 by naming the Athletic Field House for Homer and Ruth Drake.

Judge Drake and his family have been longtime members of Central Baptist Church where he served several terms as a Deacon and he was an Adult Sunday School Teacher for over thirty years. At the time of his death, he was a member of the Myrtle Arnal Mann Sunday School Class.

The funeral is 1:00 pm Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at Central Baptist Church, 14 West Broad Street, Newnan, GA with Rev. Matt Sapp and Dr. Joel Richardson officiating. Following the funeral, the family will greet friends in the church fellowship hall. A private family interment will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Rather than flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions to Mercer on Mission, 1501 Mercer University Drive, Macon, GA 31207 or https://www.mercer.edu/give/

Condolences may be expressed online at www.mckoon.com

Survivors include sons, Walter H. Drake, III (Tracie), Taylor Bridges Drake (Lori), and grandchildren, Harrison, Wesley, Wheeler, Ella Catherine, Taylor, Jr., and Henry.

McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory (770) 253-4580

Photo of Scott Riddle Scott Riddle

Scott Riddle has over twenty years’ experience in Bankruptcy and business and real estate litigation and has represented individuals and businesses throughout Georgia and several other states. Scott graduated from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BSBA in 1987…

Scott Riddle has over twenty years’ experience in Bankruptcy and business and real estate litigation and has represented individuals and businesses throughout Georgia and several other states. Scott graduated from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BSBA in 1987 and received his JD, with honors, in 1991 from the UNC School of Law. After graduation from law school, Scott served as a judicial law clerk for Judge W. Homer Drake, Jr., United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Georgia. He then spent several years in the Bankruptcy and litigation sections of a large international law firm based in Atlanta prior to starting his own firm.

Scott is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Georgia, Georgia Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and U.S. District and Bankruptcy Courts for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Georgia. He has also been admitted to practice pro hac vice in the courts of several other states.

Scott has spoken at several continuing education seminars, and in the community, has been a member of the Kiwanis Club, Buckhead Business Association, Rotary Club and North Point Community Church. He has been cited in several publications, including the Wall Street Journal Online, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta Business Chronicle, Fulton County Daily Report, and CNN.com. Scott is a member of the State Bar of Georgia (Bankruptcy and Litigation Sections), served several terms on the Board of Directors of the Bankruptcy Section of the Atlanta Bar Association, and is a member of the Georgia Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association and the American Bankruptcy Institute.

Away from the office, Scott is very active in his community. In addition to volunteering with local charities, Scott has participated and led mission and relief trips to orphanages in Russia and Romania, conducted English camps in Romania and Poland, participated in earthquake relief projects in Haiti, and participated in, and helped organize, an earthquake relief trip to Chile. He also supports Lighthouse Family Retreats, and participates in weekend retreats for children suffering from cancer and their families.

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  • Posted in:
    Bankruptcy
  • Blog:
    Georgia Bankruptcy Blog
  • Organization:
    The Law Office of Scott B. Riddle
  • Article: View Original Source

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