Ted Drake (March 8, 1945 - May 27, 2026)
Written By David and Ashley Whitaker
Ted Drake on May 13, 2026 (two weeks before he died)
Ted Drake moved to Windermere in 1989. We write this in loving acknowledgment of Ted and his 37 years of service at the Ranch, and his 54 years as an MSIA minister (he was ordained April 18, 1972).
Ted was born in Manhattan, New York, to Harrington “Duke” Drake, former chairman and chief executive of the Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, and Shirley Grant. He was a graduate of Colgate College and, in his life before MSIA, had the opportunity to work alongside Buckminster Fuller.
In 1970, Ted was severely ill and believed he had only months to live. While planning a move to New Zealand in search of a healthier environment, an unexpected layover in Los Angeles led him through a friend to meet J-R, whose guidance in a light study and support for his health care led to a reversal of Ted’s osteoporosis, scoliosis, and declining health. Ted credited J-R with saving his life from the inside out.
I met J-R and I realized I had made a choice that seemed to happen overnight. I kept thinking I want to stay a little longer on that stopover...and then I realized I wasn’t leaving.
Ted took up residency at Prana and worked in various J-R organizations in a range of capacities. He was someone whom John-Roger called upon for the highest level of service. His service was honored with the MSIA Minister of the Year Award in 1974.
Ted often shared his experiences of the early days at Prana with current Windermere Ranch residents in what we lovingly refer to as “Ted Talks,” encouraging us to adopt a consensus process for decision-making. He deeply believed in the equality of all souls and shared with us his love of learning about cultures that practice egalitarian ways of living.
Early in the relationship, J-R challenged Ted’s belief that business required a hierarchy where decisions were made by authority rather than shared input, by emphasizing objectivity, measurement, and constant feedback to understand relationships more clearly.
Over time, Ted came to see this approach as both a method for better decision-making and a way of relating more equally to others. Instead of defaulting to dominance, dismissal, or assumption, J-R’s model encouraged listening, incorporating feedback, and treating people as equal contributors to what works.
In his own non-inflictive way, Ted helped us understand that consensus isn't about everyone getting their way, nor is it about following every voice equally. It is about knowing who has responsibility for a particular decision, listening carefully to the perspectives involved, and remaining open to the feedback that reveals what is actually working.
Ted taught us to approach consensus as a process of listening—to ourselves, to one another, and to the information emerging from our shared experience. The practice became especially important when we disagreed. Rather than seeing disagreement as a problem, Ted encouraged us to see it as an opportunity to understand ourselves and each other more deeply.
He invited us to become aware of our core karmas, our assumptions, and our personality-level preferences, and to share that awareness openly. Through his example, we learned that communication is not a one-time event but an ongoing practice. Together, we continually look for ways to improve the quality, clarity, and frequency of our communication so that our decisions can arise from greater understanding, respect, and cooperation in service to the Highest Good of All Concerned.
However you knew Ted, you knew Ted. Although this is true for everyone, there isn’t anyone else quite like him, and we will miss his Ted Talks, his stories, his listening, his patience, and the way we could disagree and still remain in connection.
Small in stature, he filled a big role. Ted's service at Windermere ranged from clearing brush, to running the old tractor, to chatting with guests. He read the well depths every three months for decades and maintained a detailed spreadsheet of his readings. He dug trenches, ran conduit and plumbing, and maintained the perimeter fence around the property. Though he came from a background that might have led him toward a life of comfort and prestige, Ted chose a life of simplicity and service. For decades he lived humbly in a small house or trailer at the Ranch, caring for the land and community with the same quiet dedication he brought to everything he did.
When asked how he was doing, he would often reply, "I'm a happy boy."
Ted would comment that he didn’t bond with people, but that didn’t stop people from bonding with him.
“Often I would look at J-R, and look at myself, and ask, “What’s the difference?” The main thing I noticed—and that doesn’t mean it’s the main thing that he is, but what I noticed—was his willingness to do what’s called for with that person, in that situation, at that time.”
In the end, Ted was exceptional in having the willingness to do what was called for with any person, in any situation, at any time. We appreciate the ways in which he saw each of us and encouraged and supported us in our growth and upliftment. We all hold a special place for our experiences with Ted in our hearts. And for those of you who are reading this who have been touched and inspired by Ted in your life, we hold you in our hearts. Ted is survived by his brothers Jeffrey and Andy and the many who loved him.
The quotes in this newsletter are from an interview with Ted that was published in the New Day Herald in 2016.
In the article, Ted also said, “So right now, I guess, it’s been about 46 years between flights,” referencing his layover in California on his way to New Zealand. It’s now been 56 years, and his layover is complete. Please join us in sending him Light and Loving as he travels into the Heart of God for the Highest Good of All Concerned.
Join us at Windermere or online to celebrate the life of Ted Drake! Bring your story of Ted and/or a memento to share.
A light lunch will be served after the event.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to IIWP: iiwp.org/donate
Photos of Ted!
Enjoy this photo gallery of Ted Drake through the ages.
Gathering of Peacemakers
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Pacific Time
Los Angeles, CA and Online
Calling all Peacemakers!
Windermere Community Day
Monday, June 29, 2026
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Pacific Time
In Person Only at Windermere
Visit Windermere Ranch!
Nota: Las cartas y diversas actualizaciones ahora están disponibles en español! Puedes por favor enviarme un email, si deseas recibirlos en español.