James Edward Drews (Jed), 78, sailed away on July 18th, 2019 in Miranda. He was surrounded by his loved ones and will be sorely missed by all who new him. A memorial for Jed will be held at the Redwood Palace in Miranda (6735 Hwy 254) on Sunday, October 27th from 2- 6 p.m.

Jed was born in Memphis Tennessee to Roland Price Drews and Margaret Emma Brewer. The family moved to Fort Pierce, Florida where he grew up with his three younger sisters. His sisters always said that he was his mothers favorite and that he never had to do any chores, Jed’s side of the story was that since he was the oldest, he had to do everything! He loved to read, write and draw. By the time he was in high school he had read every book in the Fort Pierce Library. He worked as a journalist at several news organizations and received a number of awards. He even met and photographed the Beatles at one of their shows and shook each one of their hands.

Jed had an affinity for articles about wildlife which included his own detailed illustrations. Jed was a master carpenter, working in the trade most of his life. He did beautiful finish carpentry work; his favorite medium was redwood. He was able to pass his carpentry skills on to his daughter Canela, as the two worked together for many years.

In 1977 Jed met the love of his life, Mimi, while they were both spending time in Tulum, Mexico. Mimi was supposed to go home with her sister to Illinois but instead she ran off with Jed, who was 12 years older. Her mother was not very happy! After leaving Mexico they made their way in a red van to San Francisco. Eventually they landed in Humboldt County where they made a life for themselves and their three daughters Canela, MaryJo and Cidne on a 40-acre property in Palo Verde. In 2011 Jed was so very happy to reconnect with his first-born daughter Michele, who he had not seen in over forty years. The reunion brought tears to his eyes.

Jed’s daughters were very important to him and he was always pushing for them to do their best or lending an ear or helping hand when they had a problem. He was very proud of them all. Jed was known for being extremely smart, a good listener, avid reader, fast driver of Volvo’s, advice giver, and drinking wine and getting in loud debates with his best friends, Dhulnun Owen, Tony Kozak, Don Edwards and John Burgess to name a few. In retirement he enjoyed spending time at his boat in the Sacramento Delta with his favorite dog Poot. He loved to sail and over the years he definitely threatened to sell the property and sail away a few times! He loved his ridgetop property, drinking a glass of wine and watching the sunset smoking a joint. He loved being Pop Pop to his Grandson, Max and he enjoyed the company of his dogs Delta and Tuck. We will all miss him so much, but we know he is still with us.

The family would like to give special thanks to thank Dr. Matthew, care providers of Fresenious Kidney Care, especially Pam Hartley, who helped Mimi with Jed’s home dialysis treatment. Jed is proceeded in death by his parents Roland Price Drews, Margaret Emma Brewer, uncle Wilson Drews, younger sister Mary Beth Drews and great niece Elannah Rose. Jed is survived by his wife of 42 years Mimi Drews, daughters Michele Coletti of Glendale AZ, Canela Drews of Garberville CA, MaryJo Wilber and her husband Sam Wilber and grandson Maxwell James of Miranda CA, Cidne Drews and partner Loren Dillon-Ogden of Garberville CA. Sisters Jennifer Drews of Eureka CA, Emily Drews and her husband Bill Bayer of Hillsborough, North Carolina. Nephews Gary Trievel (Kirsti, Caleb) Michael Trievel (Mikey), Ricky and his wife Angelica Tervo and niece Deborah and her husband Craig Silverman (Dylan, Jaxson).

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Jed Drews’ loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.