DREW Horace Rainsford Drew, Jr., 86, passed away on Tuesday October 19th, 2004.

Horace was born in Jacksonville on January 1, 1918. He attended Andrew Jackson High School. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1940 with a BS Degree in Business Administration and earned a LL.B Degree in 1941. He received a J.D Degree in 1967. During World War II, Horace served in the U.S. Army as a Captain in the Field Artillery.

While training with he 69th Infantry Division at Camp Shelby, Alabama, he met his future wife, Rae Shelley Berger, a Lieutenant in the Signal Corps. They married on October 28th, 1944, a week prior to Capt. Drew's departure for the European front. After the way ended, Horace returned to Jacksonville with his bride and became an Estate Tax Examiner for the IRS. He left this position in 1951 to form a law partnership with Lucius A. Buck which evolved into Buck, Drew, Ross & Short. He later became a partner in the firm of Hand, Drew, Showalter, Mercier until his retirem ent in 1994. In addition to practicing law for 50 yrs., Horace was a Lt. Colonel in U.S. Army JAGD Reserve and was a founder and on Board of Directors of Jax Episcopal High School. He was a founding member of the Southern Academy of Letters, Arts and Sciences and was a trustee of the Children's Home Society and of the American Cancer Society. He was a faithful longtime member of St. John's Episcopal Cathedral.

In 1998, he wrote and published: “ Our Story”, a comprehensive history of his family dating back to their Viking origins. Horace enjoyed boating and fishing and above all, growing citrus at the family orange grove in Cross Creek, FL.

Horace was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Rae Shelley, and a son, Robert Fairbanks. He is survived by his daughter, Shelley Drew Tipping (Michael), his son Horace Rainsord Drew III, (Maxine McCall) and two grandchildren: Daniel McCall Drew and Caroline McCall Drew.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, October 23rd, at the HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME, 4115 Hendricks Ave., JAX. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M.Friday,Oct.22 at HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Community Hospice of NE Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Road, JAX. 32257 or to the charity of your choice.

Florida Times-union, October 22, 2004