WATERTOWN, N.Y.  —  Lawrence S. Drake Jr., 72, of 517 Water St., Watertown, NY, passed Monday, Dec. 14, at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. A memorial service will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, at Hart & Bruce Funeral Home with Rev. Jeffrey Smith officiating. Calling hours will be 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, at the funeral home. Born May 30, 1943, in Augusta, NJ, the son of the late Lawrence S. and Beatrice Utter) Drake Sr., he attended school in New Jersey. Following school he entered the US Army and served in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970. He was honorably discharged in 1977 as sergeant E-5. While serving in the Army he received his GED. Upon returning home he became a civilian employee for Fort Drum for thirty one years. While employed at Fort Drum he continued serving in the Army Reserves and worked as a heavy equipment mechanic for Vespa Sand & Stone and Ronnie Granger. He married Flora S. "Peewee" Lawton on Feb. 22, 1975, in Watertown. The couple resided in Watertown where they also were foster parents for 21 years. He was a member of the Carthage American Legion and Rifleman's Club. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. He was a very generous man who donated to several charities and was a loving husband and father. Among his survivors are his wife, Flora C. "Peewee" Drake and their two daughters, Paula Galaydick and Kimberly Drake, of Watertown.  From his first marriage; a son, Lawrence S. Drake III and four daughters; Dorothy, Rosie, Alicia Drake and Stephanie Scott.  His adopted sons, Jamel, Kyron and Shaymus Drake; his adopted daughters, Kiara, Frances, Regina, Melissa Drake and Stephanie Kraus and Brittany Harris; two step sons, James Curtis and his wife Debbie, Timothy Curtis; three stepdaughters, Christine Harvey, Brenda Harvey and her husband Christopher, Lori Montiel; a brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Tracy Drake, PA; a sister, Connie Jones, MI; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and his two loving dogs, Bailey and Midge. Donations may be made to the American Heart Association or Disabled Veterans. Online condolences may be made online at www.hartandbrucefh.com.