The family of John Rugee Drew, 77, has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to attend his final military honors. It is our privilege to fulfill their request.
Father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend John Rugee Drew, 77, passed away on May 3, 2025 in Upland, CA with his three children, son-in-law Clark and granddaughter Katelyn by his side.
John was born March 30, 1948 in Portland, Oregon to Robert and Margret Drew. He was the middle child between two sisters. As a young child, his family moved to Northern California. They spend time living in Eureka and later San Jose before settling in Vallejo when he was 9 years old. He graduated from Vallejo High School in 1966. While he was a senior and only 17 years old, John enlisted in the Navy because one of his friends did. He would go onto to serve in the Navy Reserves for 29 years and to become a veteran of the Vietnam War and the Gulf War before retiring at the rank of Chief Quartermaster (QMC) (E7).
John met his beloved wife Sunny during a family day aboard the ship he was on. She was visiting her father and decided to “troll for sailors” as well. Of the two sailors she gave her number to, John was the first to call and get the date. Eight dates later he got tired of paying toll bridge fees and proposed. They were married on May 11, 1968. They raised three children together. They spent 53 years of marriage before Sunny passed and this year, they got to celebrate it together once again.
During their marriage, they lived in various cities in California: Vallejo, San Diego, Pomona (for 12-13 years), and Rancho Cucamonga (for the past 36-37 years). He worked in retail until Pomona where he found a job in the oil procurement industry as a purchasing manager. The various companies he worked for included Braun, Brown & Root, Jacobs and Parsons. John also spent many years volunteering with the Boy Scouts of America both with the LDS church and with the Old Baldy Council.
John is preceded in death by his parents and his wife Sunny. He is survived by his children Kathryn (Clark) Raile, Richard (Jaimee) Drew, and Sharla (Jason) Drew-Hodges; grandchildren Katelyn and Laura Raile, Baxter and Chelsea Drew; Kingston and Wyatt Oldendorff and Silas Hodges; sisters Virginia (Gene) Buelt and Elizabeth (“Pokey”) Walker; and nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this military veteran. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, this is a flag line only (FLO) mission at Forest Lawn Covina. For those who would like to participate, please see the timetable and we will meet you there.
TIMETABLE FOR SATURDAY, 31 MAY20251115: Stage Forest Lawn Covina Hills, 21300 Via Verde St, Covina, CA.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qTkzvd8QYo6r3Xpw91130: Mission briefing.
1145: Move to niche location.
1200: Flag line and military honors.
Mike “Joker” Courtright
SoCal PGR Ride Captain
Patriot Guard Ride Captain, #202572
mokynanapo@sbcglobal.net
(714) 321-3356"Standing For Those Who Stood For UsOnly two defining forces offered to die for you:
Jesus Christ, and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other died for your freedom.
You do not have to be a veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the Ride Captain (RC). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and respect for our heroes. No talking, smoking, or cell phone use during the flag line or service. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum. Observe the 15 MPH speed limit. Remember, cemeteries are hallowed ground. Show respect to all who are there, not just the ones we are honoring.
