Carl Eugene Drake passed away in Metairie, La. on Feb. 24, 2020.

Gene was born in Vicksburg on Feb. 13, 1942, and was the son of Clara Frances and Chester E. Drake, both deceased. His sister, Clara Frances Drake, predeceased him.

Gene graduated from H.V. Cooper High School in Vicksburg in 1960. He completed his undergraduate studies and a law degree (Juris Doctor) at the University of Mississippi and was a member of the Mississippi Bar. He was a member and vice president of the Kappa Sigma social fraternity in college.

He graduated from the Officer Candidate’s school with the Mississippi Army National Guard and served for a decade.

Gene and his father co-owned Drake Towing Company in Vicksburg. Gene founded and operated Tideland Corporation, a water transportation company in New Orleans for over 40 years.

He attended First Baptist Church in Vicksburg and transferred his letters and was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in New Orleans for the remainder of his life.

He was a pilot, a fisherman and an avid sailor and was a member of the Southern Yacht Club for decades.

Gene was survived by cousins Stephanie Barrett Branch of Omaha, Neb., Kathe Ellis Baer of Chapel Hill, N.C., Elizabeth Barrett Locatur of Charlotte, N.C. and Martha Anne Ellis Zelski of Keene Valley, N.Y.

A graveside service will be held at Cedar Hill Cemetery on Friday, Feb. 28 at 10 a.m.

A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date at Trinity Episcopal Church in New Orleans. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be sent to St. Jude‘s Children Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.