1927
Eddie
2013
Eddie C. Drayer, Sr
August 23, 1927 — February 20, 2013
Eddie C. Drayer Sr. was born August 23, 1927 in Pine Bluff AR. He departed this life on February 20, 2013, in Portland Oregon. He was one of four children birthed by Issie Tobias.
After being born in Pine Bluff, AR to Issie Tobias and Fred Drayer, Eddie was raised on the family farm, and graduated from grade school. In 1946, he joined the U.S. army, and received his honorable discharge, with rank of private first class in 1949. But, due to the Korean conflict, and the need for experienced soldiers, he was not allowed to leave the army. He ended up serving another three years, and received a second honorable discharge in 1952, with the rank corporal.
While he was in the military, stationed in Denver, Colorado, he met Evelyn Johnson. In 1952, after a couple of years of dating they were married in Sheridan AR. In the year 1953, Eddie and Evelyn departed Denver, Colorado and moved to Portland, OR. After arriving in Portland, Eddie worked various odd jobs for a few years, before securing a job with Union Pacific Railroad, as a rail line maintance worker. In the early 1960's, Eddie enter into the construction industry as a laborer, [AFL-CIO 296] where he remained employed until his retirement in 1989.
Eddie will probably be best remembered as, "Dancing Eddie," which is what his friends nick-named him, because of the fact that he loved to dance, with or without a partner. Early in his life, his hobbies included fishing, modifying, and repairing automobiles and trucks, dog racing, and styling {wearing} fine clothing. Throughout his years in Portland he was a joy to everyone, because he actually enjoyed life.
In November 2011, his wife of 59 years departed this earth, and soon afterward he was diagnosed with dementia.
Eddie leaves to mourn, sons Eddie Jr. Danny; daughter in law Rose Drayer; grandsons, Dwight Clay and family, Eddie Drayer III; son- in- law, Joe Jones; niece, Deborah Ranae Green, Alena Vance, all of Portland, Oregon; grand daughters, Kinnikkia Shea and family of Minnesota; Ebony Drayer and family of Vancouver Washington; niece, Angela Toussaint and family, brother- in-law, Lloyd Baker and family, Seattle Washington; niece, Lena Mae Hampton and family, nephew Willie B. Drayer, and family, Pine Bluff AR; nephew Robert Butler, and family, niece, Diane McCullom, Malvern, AR; niece, Geraldine Davis, of Milwaukie, Wisconsin; brother-in-law, Merle Johnson of California, and a host of long time friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Fred Drayer, biological mother Issie Tobias, stepmother Ollie Drayer, wife Evelyn Drayer, daughters Beveline Ross, Monica Jones, son, Victor Drayer, and sister, Reva McCullom.
After being born in Pine Bluff, AR to Issie Tobias and Fred Drayer, Eddie was raised on the family farm, and graduated from grade school. In 1946, he joined the U.S. army, and received his honorable discharge, with rank of private first class in 1949. But, due to the Korean conflict, and the need for experienced soldiers, he was not allowed to leave the army. He ended up serving another three years, and received a second honorable discharge in 1952, with the rank corporal.
While he was in the military, stationed in Denver, Colorado, he met Evelyn Johnson. In 1952, after a couple of years of dating they were married in Sheridan AR. In the year 1953, Eddie and Evelyn departed Denver, Colorado and moved to Portland, OR. After arriving in Portland, Eddie worked various odd jobs for a few years, before securing a job with Union Pacific Railroad, as a rail line maintance worker. In the early 1960's, Eddie enter into the construction industry as a laborer, [AFL-CIO 296] where he remained employed until his retirement in 1989.
Eddie will probably be best remembered as, "Dancing Eddie," which is what his friends nick-named him, because of the fact that he loved to dance, with or without a partner. Early in his life, his hobbies included fishing, modifying, and repairing automobiles and trucks, dog racing, and styling {wearing} fine clothing. Throughout his years in Portland he was a joy to everyone, because he actually enjoyed life.
In November 2011, his wife of 59 years departed this earth, and soon afterward he was diagnosed with dementia.
Eddie leaves to mourn, sons Eddie Jr. Danny; daughter in law Rose Drayer; grandsons, Dwight Clay and family, Eddie Drayer III; son- in- law, Joe Jones; niece, Deborah Ranae Green, Alena Vance, all of Portland, Oregon; grand daughters, Kinnikkia Shea and family of Minnesota; Ebony Drayer and family of Vancouver Washington; niece, Angela Toussaint and family, brother- in-law, Lloyd Baker and family, Seattle Washington; niece, Lena Mae Hampton and family, nephew Willie B. Drayer, and family, Pine Bluff AR; nephew Robert Butler, and family, niece, Diane McCullom, Malvern, AR; niece, Geraldine Davis, of Milwaukie, Wisconsin; brother-in-law, Merle Johnson of California, and a host of long time friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Fred Drayer, biological mother Issie Tobias, stepmother Ollie Drayer, wife Evelyn Drayer, daughters Beveline Ross, Monica Jones, son, Victor Drayer, and sister, Reva McCullom.
Service
Rose City Funeral Home
5625 Northeast Fremont Street
Portland
,
OR
US
97213-1754
Thursday, February 28, 2013, 2:00 PM
Cemetery
Rose City Cemetery
5625 N.E. Fremont St.
Portland
,
OR
US
97213-1754
Thursday, February 28, 2013, 2:00 PM
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