Paul William Drenkow
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Paul William Drenkow, 77, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, August 25, 2020. He was at his home in McKinney, Texas surrounded by his loved ones. Paul died after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. He will be forever remembered for his keen mind, kind heart and devotion to his family and faith. He was generous beyond description. Paul was born October 23, 1942 to William and Helen (Bonham) Drenkow in Mitchell, South Dakota. He was confirmed at St. Martin's Lutheran Church in Watertown, South Dakota in 1956. In 1960, he graduated from Watertown High School where he was awarded The Davis Award, the highest honor given to a graduating senior who, exemplifies school citizenship, leadership and participation and demonstrates high standards in personal living along with scholastic achievement. Paul attended Dartmouth College where he earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering. Later he attended University of Washington where he received his MBA. He started his career working for Boeing in Seattle, Washington. In the early 1970's, Paul moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan and started working for Ford Motor Company. He and his first wife welcomed son, Christopher and daughter, Corey. Paul married his wife Clarine in 1982 and became stepfather to Jeannette, shortly after their son Matthew was born. In the early 1990's while serving Ford Motor Co. as Executive Director of Business Planning for Asia Pacific, the family moved to Tokyo, Japan for 3 years, he was on the Board of Directors for Mazda Motor Co. Paul retired in 2001. During his retirement he enjoyed traveling the world with his wife and enjoyed frequent trips to the Hawaiian Islands with friends and family. In 2013 Paul and Clarine moved to McKinney, Texas. Paul devoted his life to helping family, friends, and strangers alike. He spent many years volunteering and serving on the board for Lutheran Social Services of Michigan now known as Samaritas along with a host of other charities. He was an active member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in McKinney, Texas where he was a Stephen Minister. Paul loved and lived for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We who had the privilege of knowing him will miss him dearly. He is survived by his beloved wife, Clarine; children, Jeannette (Patrick) Grazioli of Fairview, Texas, Christopher (Danica) Drenkow of Bothell, Washington, Corey Drenkow of Kirkland, Washington, Matthew Drenkow of McKinney, Texas; grandchildren, Gabriella and William Grazioli, Carter and Courtlyn Drenkow; sister-in-law, Joanne Drenkow; nieces, Jennifer Jacobson and Gretchen Anderson; sister-in-law, Annette Griswold; niece, Whitney Nash; sister-in-law, Cindy Gardner; nephews, Keith and Brian Gardner; and many other family members. Paul was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Fred Drenkow and infant niece, Jeannette Lynn Drenkow. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 31, 2020 at Our Savoir Lutheran Church, 2708 Virginia Pkwy, McKinney, Texas 75071 with a visitation 30 minutes prior. Interment will follow at Pecan Grove Cemetery in McKinney, Texas. A "come and go" visitation will be held on Sunday, August 30, 2020 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home. The family suggests memorial donations be made to Samaritas.org.