Rex Orville Drake was born April 4, 1916, son of Robert Elmar and Alice (King) Drake. He attended local school, and active in all sports, starting a little league program and coaching for the local YMCA. He was an employee with L&N Railroad in Pensacola. Rex Drake was married July 3, 1938 to Elaine Wynell Wilson. They were the parents of Rex Jr. and Marla Wynell Drake. Rex Orville Drake Sr. died September 28, 1945, buried in the Drake family plot.