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Lauren Koslow has embedding disabled for her IG account, but here is the link to her IG post - click to see several pictures and a brief silent video in the snow https://www.instagram.com/p/DAhU3QeSk7k Text of LK's ig post: laurenkoslow Good-night, sweet prince; And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. Drake, We will miss you forever and a day . We -friends,cast mates , crew & loyal fans , anyone who crossed your path - were touched by your joyful & passionate zest for life. Your courage. Your compassion. We admired your deep respect for your craft . We appreciated your leadership during hectic times. We saw your fulfillment in your abounding love & devotion for your beautiful Victoria , your children & family . Our hero on and off screen , a man’s man, a woman’s friend, You lit up every space with your presence, your laughter , positivity, & undeniable beauty …. And of course , your unparalleled storytelling. You shared your grace, kind heart , professionalism & passion for your art with us all and we are all better for it Sharing the stage with you was an honor & delight . definitely some of my favorite scenes EVER … Lastly thank you for all the gardening advice, horse & dog stories, kids & grand baby chats and the best ,deep down the rabbit hole kind of conversations that will stay with me forever .❤️💔❤️💔🥰 Blessed to know you, my friend . #drakehogestyn #days

marybeth.evans With such a heavy heart, I can't really find the words today about the passing of this sweet, kind man. From the first day we met in the green room of Days of Our Lives in 1986, we were fast friends. Drake's love and devotion to his forever sweetheart Victoria, his children and grandchildren was one of his most endearing qualities. Such a good, honest man. We are all in shock of the news we received yesterday. @drakehogestyn you will remain in my heart always. Sending so much love to you.❤️#days

Hurricane Helene damage far inland, in the mountains of western North Carolina and in Tennessee

@Roman Martha posted about a recent scene with Drake but she meant within past few years. Not recent-recent. She was referring to a scene she had with Drake at Marlena's deathbed. (but of course Marlena didn't die then) This wasn't a John deathbed scene.

Greg Vaughan https://www.instagram.com/p/DAgyGk4xsn3/ His instagram is set up to disallow embedding. but it's important to read. He posted his final text message exchange with Drake (See the above-posted twitter copy, thanks to LibertyCity)

Bryan Dattilo https://www.instagram.com/p/DAgjpRRSKUE/ bryan.dattilo Yesterday Heaven got the best 3rd baseman of all time. Drake lived 70+ years and fell one day short of 71. Today is that day. Happy birthday my idol and may you rest in peace.

From stage manager Jessie Harrison

Stephanie Sloane https://www.instagram.com/p/DAfGUWlxlPg/ soapsteph (Stephanie Sloane) To say this one hits hard is an understatement. Drake Hogestyn was a truly remarkable man whose devotion to @dayspeacock was immeasurable and his love for his family extraordinary. I spent countless hours talking to him over the years and I will treasure the stories he told me, especially the ones about our favorite team, the @yankees. I’m sending my deepest condolences to the Hogestyn family, the Days family and all of the viewers who love him. Rest in peace. 💔

Drake's Wikipedia page links to this Major League Baseball official page article, (subpage for Minor League Baseball) .. a 2020 interview with Drake: https://www.milb.com/news/drake-hogestyn-recalls-his-younger-days-312653216

Rex Chapman quoting Drake's page on wikipedia "Hogestyn was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he graduated from North Side High School. He attended the University of South Florida in Tampa on a baseball scholarship, majoring in pre-dentistry. He graduated with a double major in microbiology and applied sciences. He was then drafted by two professional baseball organizations: the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Yankees. Hogestyn signed with the Yankees and played third base for one of their farm teams until he was injured in 1977.[1]" .... and Chapman tweeted Drake baseball pics https://x.com/RexChapman/status/1840283871079784786

Galen Gering https://www.instagram.com/p/DAghkTuy5CD/ ggering I was lucky enough to go on a special trip with Drake and represent Days in S Africa. We went from Johannesburg to Cape Town and had moments where thousands of people cheered for us to times walking on deserted beaches. The one constant in it all was Drake- always just awesome to be around. We laughed so much. I mean, my face hurt every day. We were in his element, surrounded by people and animals. The energy he had was contagious and people gravitated towards him. He always took time for everyone and made them to feel special. Drake was always such a great storyteller and I knew at some point on that trip we were creating one he would eventually tell. This adventure would be a square added to the extraordinary quilt of his life. One of the things Drake would often say among his many ‘isims’ was ,”…well that was a below average feeling.” And as I sit here and write this I can definitely relate. Thank you for the memories and the good times and being an incredible steward for the show. You are loved and you are missed. Sending my condolences to your beautiful family I know you cherished beyond measure. Rest in Peace my friend. ---- Look at all the photos on Galen's IG post!

Here is Drake talking about this, pulling up tweeted stills on his phone:

some examples of Drake's genuine kindness and mentorship Kyle Lowder https://www.instagram.com/p/DAgLgluPOYz --- --- Kyle Brandt

Video of John Black joyfully and enthusiastically hugging and affirming Will after learning that Will came out. Can't attach but click here to watch: (remember to turn sound on!) https://i.imgur.com/qdypUZ0.mp4

hmmm when I read Martha's post, I didn't catch the "not too long ago" I had thought she was referring to recent years? I had assumed Martha was referring to when Marlena was in a coma and Belle had to do the legal thing with the DNR, and Belle and John argued? Marlena almost died then but revived. Or even more recently with the poisoning thing when Marlena, Kayla, and Kate supposedly died and went to heaven but were actually comatose in Megan Hathaway's lab... remember when they thought Marlena was dying from the poison then -- that John and Marlena went on the rooftop to watch the slideshow. Was there a Belle scene that week?

Through the years, there have been so many stories told by new and returning Days actors, that Drake welcomed them with genuine warmth, kindness, enthusiasm, and mentorship.

Ryan from TVSource

From Ali Sweeney IG stories, in response to Martha Madison:

Staci Greason https://www.instagram.com/p/DAf_FFZRTah/ same message from Staci Greason's ig stories:

Christopher Sean https://www.instagram.com/p/DAfLN4uxwAl/ mrchristophersean I will always love you. You were more than just my tv dad, in my eyes you were my dad. Thank you for everything you taught me and the love you gave me. The world lost a true Hero. Miss and love you Drake. Rest in Peace Dad