Drake Lenz

Delivered by his sister, Robin, at the funeral service:

Drake Daniel Lenz was born on December 16 ^th , 1985 in Denver, Colorado. His parents, Jim and Leslie, brought him home to his sister, Robin. He was raised on the farm with A LOT of family and loved growing up in the country, where he could run full speed ahead…a characteristic he developed early in life. He joined the Boy Scouts, and learned many skills that he may or may not have shared with his cousins. There was always someone close by, whether relative or friend, who was watching; however none of us think Drake really was concerned about that. He was perceptive and understanding, but didn’t hesitate to say what he thought. He was always up for a good laugh with anyone, family, friend, or stranger. Drake was always ready to help whoever needed it, he’d give you the shirt off his back. But he never pulled punches when it came to sharing his opinion or his sense of humor.

Drake graduated from Wray High school in 2004. He met Ciara Abbey in 2004 while attending Northwest Kansas Vocational School in Goodland, Kansas. During their time together, Drake and Ciara resided in Kearney Nebraska, Montrose and Bennett, Colorado. While living in each of these places he met people that impacted and enriched his life and helped him develop not only his talents but also his character. Although the relationship did not last, Drake and Ciara were blessed by the birth of their daughter. Emree Elizabeth Lenz was born on June 15 ^th , 2009 in Montrose Colorado. Drake was ecstatic to be a parent and was very proud of his daughter. In her own words, Emree says of her daddy, “Drake was the nicest dad in the world and a good step-dad to Lilly, Aiden, and Grayson and a great husband to Ann and is so nice to Tony”.

Drake went on to meet the love of his life in November, 2014. Drake met Ann Marie Harris and had an immediate connection. Soon they decided that the connection was authentic and introduced each other to respective families. A wedding was planned for December, 2017, and Drake’s life was all that he could have hoped for. He had a beautiful daughter, a beautiful fiancée, and was surrounded by a loving family and the greatest of friends. Drake and Ann had a new home where they could build their dreams together. Drake went about diligently working on, not only remodeling homes for Dimes to Dollars Inc., but also starting his own businesses. As we all know, Drake was not good at standing still for long.

Drake lost his life doing one of the many things he loved, riding his bike, feeling the wind blow through his hair and enjoying his freedom. He died on November 27 ^th , 2017 while riding motorcycles with his soon to be father-in-law Jeff Martin.

Apparently God is adding a few new rooms to his home and wanted Drake’s help. After lending him to us for 32 years, God has called him home. We have no choice but to let him go.

Drake will be greeted in heaven by his grandpa George Lenz. Drake is survived by his daughter Emree Elizabeth Lenz, fiancée Ann Marie Harris, Jim and Leslie Lenz, Dave, Robin, Kiersen, and Reagan Henson, grandparents Vern and Mildred Bingham of Ft. Collins and Betty Lenz of Wray. Drake is also survived by…look to your left…look to your right…all of you are family and he loved you all. As my dad would say, “If a man is measured by the size of his heart, Drake was a huge man because his heart was big enough to hold us all”.

A Rosary was held on Friday, December 1, 2017 at 7:00 p.m., St. Andrew Catholic Church in Wray, Colorado. Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 10:00 a.m. at the St. Andrew Catholic Church in Wray, Colorado with Father Jonathan Dellinger officiating. Interment was in the Grandview Cemetery in Wray, Colorado. Memorials may be made to the Emree Lenz Scholarship Fund, c/o Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home, 427 Adams Street, Wray, Colorado 80758. Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.