Tributes

My father, Richard Whitney Drayton, died this morning, January 24th, peacefully in the loving care of my brother, Bryan Drayton, and his amazing wife, Shannon Drayton in Hartsville, South Carolina. He had so many beautiful caretakers with him during his final months. The family is grateful to them all. I’ve never written an obituary before. But there was nothing traditional about my father, so I believe there will be nothing traditional about this obituary. First of all, let’s get the details out of the way. He was born in Illinois, the oldest child of Whitney and Anne Drayton, and raised in Fullerton, California. He leaves behind his lovely partner of 11 years, Lynn Jekel, a fellow artist in Sedona, AZ, his son Bryan, his daughter-in-law, Shannon, in Hartsville, SC, his daughter Shanon (yes there are two Shan(n)on’s!), son-in-law Rick Arreola from Los Angeles, CA, granddaughter Kiersten, grandson Trevor, granddaughter Shirlee, and two-step grandkids, Zach and granddaughter, Riki. He also leaves behind his younger brother, Bruce Drayton, from Temecula, CA, and his baby sister, Dianne Atkinson, from Fallbrook, CA. There is another sister, but we don’t talk about her! My dad was an artist first and foremost. And he was a talented one at that. As is the case with most artists, he could be a tortured soul. But there was peace at the end with no words left unsaid. Although my mother, Sherry Muckenthaler-Drayton, who passed in 2007, I’m sure had a few choice words for him when he got to heaven. I’m sure they are hashing it out right now. My dad was funny. He had a wicked sense of humor. He could read a situation like no one I’ve ever met and say just the right thing. It wasn’t always kind, but he was always spot on. I have friends to this day who say things to me like ‘I remember your dad. He was awesome. He told me I was an alien. It changed my life. He passed on great wisdom. He told me that money doesn’t buy happiness but it allows you to look for it in classier places. And as we both struggled with our pudginess (thanks for that trait Dad), he would say things like ‘It’s not the donut Shanon. It’s how you feel about the donut. He came across as big and scary, but deep down he was sensitive and treasured nothing more than the love of a good woman. Or many women. We will let my mom hash that one out with him. But he was madly in love with his girlfriend, Lynn, and we are grateful he had her love until the end. My caretaking journey started with my father over the summer. It felt awkward and weird to take care of a man I had not been close with. But in that space of debilitating cancer, dementia, and declining health, I found love and forgiveness for that tortured soul that was my father -- He did the best he could. He loved us the best he could. We made sure he died knowing he was loved, forgiven, and that the legacy of his beautiful art will endure. Rest in peace Dad. May heaven be full of guilt-free donuts.

Tributes

Mr. Richard Whitney Drayton

August 12, 1943 - January 24, 2022