Former House Speaker Tom Drake dies at 86

Former House Speaker Tom Drake died Thursday at age 86.

Drake was a professional wrestler, an assistant coach at the University of Alabama and served as Alabama’s Speaker of the House as a Democrat from 1982–87 during the administration of Gov. George Wallace. He represented Cullman County.

Drake’s sons confirmed his death Tuesday.

Drake was a prominent wrestler for more than 22 years, from 1956–1978. He won numerous titles — including the 2001 Frank Gotch Award and several regional titles — and is a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Though born to a sharecropping family in the depths of the Great Depression, Drake made it to the top tier of Alabama politics, serving in the most powerful position in the State House.

Read more: http://www.alreporter.com/2017/02/03/former-house-speaker-tom-drake-dies-at-86/