Rep. Owen Drake, R-Leeds, died Monday after a fight with cancer. He is remembered as an advocate for his community, as well as a good friend.

Areas of St. Clair and Jefferson Counties, including the Leeds area, lost a fierce advocate and a dear friend this week when Rep. Owen Drake, R-Leeds, died early Monday morning after a courageous battle with cancer.

Drake was a Leeds native, and continued to serve his hometown until his death this week. He graduated from Leeds High School in 1955, and then enlisted in the United States Airforce, where he served until 1959.

After spending two years as a police detective for the city of Fairfield, he returned to the military. He retired as a Chief Master Sergeant in 1988 after another 32 years of service.

His political career began in 2000, when he was elected to the Leeds City Council, where he served two terms, including one as Mayor Pro Tem.

Former Leeds Mayor James “Tac” Whitfield said Drake’s participation in the board was important, due to the growth boom that Leeds was enduring at that time.

“He served his district very well, but not only that, he served the entire population of Leeds,” Whitfield said. “He did a great job during that growth period, he was a team player and we thought very much of Owen.”

Drake began his tenure in the Alabama House of Representatives in 2006, where Leeds Mayor Eric Patterson said he continued his legacy of being a strong advocate for the city of Leeds, as well as the rest of his district.

“The city of Leeds could not have asked for a better representative for its citizens than Owen Drake,” Patterson said. “He was a good friend to our city, and on a personal level, to me. He worked hard, sacrificed and served Leeds on a daily basis. Owen loved Leeds and its people, and he will be truly missed by many.”

As a state representative, Drake wasn’t afraid of taking on a fight if it meant working to better his community and state as a whole.

“He was a great legislator. He took care of his district, and he was fearless. He took on projects that other folks would be timid about doing,” said Rep. Jim McClendon, R-Springville. “He was more than a good man, he was a great man. He was a man of his word, and he was a man you could trust. Owen will be sorely missed.”

Despite partisan differences, Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Mark Kennedy hailed Drake as “an honorable legislator who committed much of his life to serving the people of Leeds and his district,” noting that his leadership and work ethic in the House will be greatly missed.

Gov. Robert Bentley shared similar sentiments.

“He was a dedicated public servant throughout his life, not only serving as an elected official, but also serving his country in the Air Force. Rep. Drake was a true servant of the people, but most of all, he was a great friend and will be greatly missed,” Bentley said.

According to Bentley, a special election will be held to decide Drake’s replacement. But to truly replace such a dedicated public servant as Drake will be a difficult task.

“He left a legacy in the House of Representatives, and I think his passion and his love for the government will be known for many, many years to come,” Whitfield said.

“I feel that they’re going to have some mighty big shoes to fill,” McClendon added.