Philip E. Drake, 87, Kokomo, passed away at 6:29 p.m. Tuesday, July 31, 2018, at his residence. Born May 7, 1931, in Tipton County, he was the son of the late Ralph Drake and Dena (Halley) Drake.

He was a veteran, having serving in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was a piano tuner technician and a professional jazz musician all of his life. His passion was music. He served as president of the musicians union of Kokomo for eight years. Phil was a well-known musician and band leader around Kokomo most of his life. He played with some of the jazz greats, such as Joe Venuti, Barrett Deems, Lionel Hampton, Clyde McCoy, and Woody Paul of Riders in the Sky. He also had a very creative mind for building wheels, domes, and other geometrical structures. In his life he built two of his own homes. He loved life, loved playing pool with his youngest daughter, was a very social person, and never knew a stranger.

Survivors include one son, Kim (Nancy) Drake, of Kempton; two daughters, Melody DiPrima and Melissa Dye, both of Kokomo; two brothers, Ralph Lee (Janet) Drake, of Greenwood and Kerry (Linda) Drake, of Kempton; two sisters, Ruth Ellen (Bob) Russell, of Elgin, Illinois, and Becky Martin, of Frankfort. There are also grandchildren, Summer Bailey, Aubrey Drake, Autasha Stroud, Jada Brown, Mia D'Aquisto and Jasmin Whitmer; great-grandchildren, Boston Bailey, Briley Bailey, Callie Richardson, Tamiah Jackson, Lucas Drake, Gavin Sample, and Breanna Drake. He is also survived by his friend and companion, Diane Coffey.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 6, 2018, at Ellers Mortuary, Webster Street Chapel, 3400 S. Webster St., Kokomo. Pastor Kim E. Drake will officiate. The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday at the mortuary.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family. Envelopes will be available at the mortuary. You may read Philip's obituary at www.ellersmortuarywebster.com, where you may sign the guestbook or share a personal message to the family.