Milton Drahem

Milton Lee Drahem was born October 7, 1939, to Henry & Bessie Drahem in Lyons, TX. Such as things were in the country, he was born at home and was weighed on hog scales to verify his undocumented 12lbs. He was the baby of the family joining an all-girl ensemble and he is survived by his sisters Elaine Goforth of Nacogdoches, TX, Delores Shirley of Bryan, TX, and Ruby and her husband Gene Culp of San Antonio, TX. After attending Caldwell High School, he moved to San Antonio and attended Southern College of Electronics and passed the prescribed course in Radio Electronics. He resided in a local boarding house and life was good. He had a hot breakfast, sack lunch, hot dinner, and laundry service for 5.00 a week. Taking a job at Otis Elevator Company he met the love of his life Diane Rose. Rumor has it that it took him several days and lots of nerve to ask her out. We all know the rest of the story but after their engagement, Diane asked to see his driver's license so she could spell the name that she would have to spell the rest of her life D-R-A-H-E-M. They honeymooned at Six Flags in Arlington; TX as Milton spared no expense. Making their home in San Antonio, they welcomed a baby girl Deborah Lee Drahem Smith on August 3, 1963, and two years later a son Mark Lee Drahem. Working for Otis required a change of scenery to Midland, TX in 1971 and one year later they welcomed the caboose Shannon Michelle Drahem Williams. In 1975 a promotion earned Milton another move to the metroplex and they settled their family in Garland, TX where Milton lived until his death. Work took Milton traveling all over the country and Diane was more than happy to be CEO of the household and tend to the growing children. Milton retired from Otis in 1994 after 38 years and 18 months later he opened a consulting business Milton Drahem, Inc. The Drahem's were members of Orchard Hills Baptist Church in Garland, TX for many many years and Milton gladly accepted the responsibility of Deacon. Later transferring to C-3, a church plant in Rowlett, TX they were anchoring members and involved in all aspects of the church life and successes. Milton and Diane were married just shy of 57 years and she was the light and love of his life until her passing in July 2019.

As families do, they grow, and Milton's was no exception. Milton is survived by his daughter Debbie and husband Greg, son Mark and wife Jessica aka his favorite daughter-in-law, and Shannon and husband Daniel.

Milton loved his family but if the truth was told, he loved the grandkids even bigger. Starting in 1989 the grands included Jane Louise Drahem and Adeyemi Awodipe, Sarah Nicole Messex and husband, Kevin, Colton Stephen Smith and wife Ashley, Zachary Lee Drahem and wife Caitlin, Matthew Lee Drahem and wife Alysson & Megan Nicolle Alves and husband Jacob and Casey Daniel Williams. All because 2 people fell in love, the bounty continued with great-grands in 2020 with Wyatt Messex & Maddox Drahem, and Everly Diane Messex joined the pack in 2021. As if it couldn't get any better, Aubrey Rose made her entrance in 2022 and Olivia Jean in 2023. The two newest members of the club include Oaklynn Marie and Aliza Jane born in late 2023.

Milton was a die-hard Cowboys fan but a great joy was watching the Texas Rangers win the World Series this year. His love of sports was passed on to his children and the grands and they frequently met up on Sunday nights to eat and enjoy a game. Milton, or Pap, was a giant of a man. He was kind and smart. He readily had Wd-40 to spray on a hurt knee a jellyfish sting or any ailment the kids had. He loved camping, fishing, and the beach. If ever a question or a solution was needed the answer was always "Call Pap" or "Call Dad". He was a humble man who never met a stranger. Once, he was so humble in appearance, in the checkout line at Wal-Mart, the lady behind him paid for his brisket. She thought he was down on his luck and needed a hand up. But that was our Pap....

He was the leader, biggest supporter, and encourager of our family. He would drop everything to be there the minute any of us called for help. We all have so many life lessons and things he taught us. His legacy will live on forever and we will carry on in a manner that would make him proud. "God, Family and then Work". Milton Drahem