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Retired Livermore educator and coach Kevin Drake died on Feb. 21 following a battle with stage four lung cancer, according to his family’s obituary shared online. He was 78.
Drake was a known figure in the Livermore community and particularly within the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District. He began his teaching career as a U.S. history and government teacher while coaching football and baseball at Livermore High School.
He moved to Granada High School in 1978 where he taught history, coached and later became athletic director.
In 1986, Drake became vice principal at Livermore High and earned a master’s degree in administrative leadership from St. Mary’s College soon thereafter.
He transitioned back to Granada as principal in 1994, was named Administrator of the Year in 1996, and remained at the high school until his retirement in 2004.
LVJUSD Superintendent Chris Van Schaack worked with Drake for several years before taking over the reins himself as Granada principal.
“I was very fortunate to have worked with Kevin at Granada, serving as his vice principal for five years. His always steady leadership and commitment to helping every student find their niche at the school served as a great model for me. His legacy in Livermore will live on,” Van Schaack said.
Several people shared fond memories of Drake in the comment section of the family’s online obituary, including some who crossed paths with him in Livermore.
“One of the most caring Administrators I have ever met! He always asked how I was doing and how my Son and Daughter was doing at Granada. Making sure they were going to Disneyland with their Senior class,” wrote Mary Nellis who also worked with Drake. “He always told me I was doing a great job being a Campus Supervisor. He was just a Great Big Teddy Bear, so caring about the students and Staff. He will be Greatly Missed,” she added.
Long before making his mark on Livermore, Drake was born in Modesto on March 31, 1945. He was the first of four children born to Donald and Loretta Drake, according to the online obituary.
He attended parochial schools before graduating in 1963 from Thomas Downey High School in Modesto. He was a student leader in his high school days, serving as student body president and football team quarterback.
He received a full athletic scholarship to attend University of the Pacific in Stockton where he earned a degree in U.S. history, before later earning a master’s degree in history and a teaching credential.
In 1968, he married his high school sweetheart Victoria “Vickie” Ferrario. The two of them both worked as educators for LVJUSD early on in their marriage. The couple welcomed two children, their daughter Kristen in 1974 and son Brian in 1977.
Over the years, Drake made a number of notable contributions to the Livermore community including serving as president of the Rotary Club and Rotarian Foundation and co-authoring a “History of Granada High School” publication.
He was inducted into the Livermore Sports Hall of Fame in 2018 and awarded the Keith Fraser Community Service Award. He was also inducted into the Tri Valley Hall of Fame, receiving the Bob Vincent Award for Community Service.
While LVJUSD officials confirmed that there has been some initial discussion about naming the Granada football stadium in Drake’s honor, nothing is set in stone at this time. The process would require a naming committee to be formed and then board approval. “It’s too early to say if it will move in that direction,” officials said.
However, the Livermore Rotary is planning to create a scholarship fund in honor of Drake, according to the family’s obituary.
Drake is survived by his wife of 55 years, their children and grandchildren, his siblings as well as extended family and friends.
A celebration of life service is set for 11 a.m. on April 6 at St. Charles Borromeo church in Livermore.
