GEORGE WILFORD DRAPER Sr.

ELDORADO - George Wilford Draper Sr. went to be with the Lord on Friday, April 11, 2003. George was the youngest of the nine children of Nicholena Calloway Draper and Michael Lee Draper. He was born on Feb. 14, 1922, at the family home in Pontotoc, Texas. George attended school there and graduated from Melvin High School. Upon graduating, he moved to San Angelo, Texas, until he joined the Air Force on Oct. 16, 1942. Shortly before joining the Air Force, he attended the Brady Jubilee, and it was there that he met his wife, Corene Luedecke Draper. They were married on Dec. 12, 1942. After receiving an honorable discharge from the service on Jan. 26, 1946, George, Corene and George Jr. returned to San Angelo. The young family worked on a ranch in Rocksprings before moving to Kent, Texas, to continue their ranching career. Before their second child, Mary Ann, was born, George moved his family to Schleicher County. They soon established their home and George went to work for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. It was during this time that their third child, Candi, was born. George eventually retired from the ASCS office to farm and ranch. His happiest memories always involved ranching, hunting and fishing. George was preceded in death by wife, Corene; brothers, Lawrence Draper, M.L. Draper and Leslie Draper; and sisters, Sadie Draper Gratzel, Lorena Draper Hughes and Nola Draper Spivey. He is survived by their children, George W. Draper Jr. and his wife, Joan Doyle Draper, Mary Ann Elliott and her husband, Efferson Elliott, and Candi Draper Homer and her husband, Kurtis Homer. Grandchildren include Shay Draper, Tobi Draper, Patti Thomerson Jones, Will Thomerson, Scott Homer and Heather Homer. Surviving sisters include Helen Draper Terry and Ardelia Draper Rutherford. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. The family has requested that memorials be made to The Texas Commission for the Blind and West Texas Rehab.

April 17, 2003
Sally Turner
My Mother, Doris Turner, lives at the Rio Concho Terrace and got to know George briefly. When I visited my mom, he would say hello to me many times. He was such a pleasant person and Mother told me that he kept them laughing so many times and what a great person he was. He will definitely be missed at the Terrace and by many of the residents and visitors.

April 16, 2003
Neil McLeod
Our prayers are with you and all your Family.Neil McLeod, Bertha McLeod Delz, and Paula McLeod Bird, old Pontotoc friends.