Wilson Drake Played Key Part In Franklin

Roger Wilson Drake, Jr., who as executive vice president of marketing was one of the longtime family leaders of Franklin Equipment Co. in Franklin, Va., and who was instrumental in the company’s continuing product and marketing innovations and growth, died peacefully with his family by his side on April 4. He was 83.

Drake was born in Franklin on March 26, 1943 and graduated from Franklin High School in 1961 before continuing his education and graduation at East Carolina College. His father, Roger Drake, Sr., had built the Franklin Logger rubber tire skidder and founded Franklin Equipment in 1962. Both Wilson and his brother, Randy, joined the family business and, with their father, took it to greater heights.

The threesome was pictured on the cover of the May 1996 issue of Timber Harvesting when the company was at the top of its game, nearing 20,000 skidder unit sales since 1962 and operating in 200,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing and parts facilities in Franklin and another 60,000 sq. ft. in Independence, Ore., while employing 350 overall. Through the years the company would purchase Holt (winches), Dana (axle/transmission), Tree Farmer (skidders), introduce a knuckleboom loader, expand its original forwarder line, producer a three-wheel feller-buncher, all the while making modifications to its skidder line, and substantially growing its dealer network that had started with Tidewater Equipment.

A series of Franklin Equipment ads that Wilson placed in Timber Harvesting were entitled “The Legend Grows.”

“We’re continuing to move forward,” Wilson told Timber Harvesting. “One of the advantages we have compared to some of the larger corporation manufacturers is we have very hands-on, responsive management. Decisions come quick. If we have a change that will improve the product, we’ll cut it into manufacturing and assembly at a moment’s notice.”

Franklin Equipment always relied heavily on dealer and logger feedback in its machinery development, inviting them into the plant. “We show them what we do,” Wilson said. “They can talk to engineering people, they can talk to men on the production line. I think our customers enjoy the opportunity to come and see how their machine was made and to talk about product improvements.”

As he joined the family business Wilson also began growing his own family, whom he loved and was immensely proud of, often boasting about their accomplishments and celebrating all of life’s biggest moments.

Wilson enjoyed traveling and making memories, whether it was a snow ski trip or water ski trip to Lake Gaston, a Miami boat show, or a tropical vacation with his wife, Cookie. He enjoyed dancing and was the life of the party on the dance floor.

In his retirement, Wilson enjoyed spending time at his beach home in Pirate’s Cove, Manteo, NC. As the self-appointed mayor of Pirate’s Cove, he could often be found walking the docks or getting a cup of coffee at the Ship Store. He was an active member of the Pirate’s Cove Slip Owners’ Assn. for 16 years and served as President for several years.

Wilson was a member of Franklin Baptist Church, numerous forestry associations, and the Franklin-Southampton Chamber of Commerce. He was an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. He also served on several community boards where he played crucial roles in fundraising initiatives, for which he wanted no recognition.

Wilson was predeceased by his parents, Shirley Porter Drake and Roger Wilson Drake Sr. (Juanita), and a son, Roger Wilson Drake, III.

Left to cherish his memory is the love of his life of 51 years, Eva Ruth “Cookie” Atkinson Drake; four children— Cindy Drake Hinrichs (Mike), Betty Anne Drake Beard, Terri Lynne Drake, and Timothy Walker Drake (Jenny); a brother, Randy Bert Drake (Gladys); ten grandchildren,  eight great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held at Franklin Baptist Church on April 9.