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James Draper Obituary
James is survived by his sons, James (Nancy) Draper and Kenneth Draper; daughter-in-law, Jeanne Draper; four grandchildren, James Draper Jr., Linnea (Ian) Browning, Jason (Kat) Draper and Janell Draper (Kevin Bullock); and two great grandchildren, Rory and Adair Bullock. He was preceded in death by both wives, Joan (Boyd) Draper and Georgianna (Edwards) Greanya; his four siblings, Ella Dowen, Barbara Sowash, Howard "Bud" Draper and Adella Calma; son, Patrick Draper; and grandson, Tommy Draper.
Jim grew up and graduated from Mt. Morris. In 1946 he entered the U.S. Army Air Force where he taught Celestial Navigation for three years. He married his sweetheart, Joan Boyd, in Long Island, N.Y. on May 14, 1949. He worked in Flint until moving to Oscoda in 1954 with his wife and two sons, Jimmy and Kenny, to start a Redi-Mix Concrete business with his brother, Bud. Their third son, Pat, was born in Oscoda in 1957 where all three sons graduated from Oscoda High School.
As a charter member of Oscoda Baptist Church, the Redi-Mix Concrete business poured the foundation of the church and Jim continued being of service as he faithfully taught Sunday School for 7th-8th grade boys for many years, as well as serving as an usher and trustee for multiple terms. It is to be noted that Jim is the last of the charter members at OBC.
Jim worked for two years for a highway repair firm as a crane operator before accepting employment from an auto replace factory forming Starboard Manufacturing in East Tawas where he worked in Tool and Die Repair as a supervisor for 19 years before retiring in 1989.
Jim enjoyed scuba diving, camping and fishing with Joan, deer hunting with his sons, sailing, and many hours in his workshop after retiring to build furniture and sculpting ducks from wood blocks. It appeared that there wasn't anything Jim couldn't build or repair.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, Jan. 29 from 1 to 4 p.m. and on Monday, Jan. 30 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Buresh Funeral Home in Oscoda. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 11 a.m. at Oscoda Baptist Church with Reverend David Dudenhofer officiating. Interment will take place following the service in Oscoda Pinecrest Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Boys Town or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered online at www.bureshfuneralhomes.com.
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Memories and Condolences
for James Draper
Lynn Sweeney/Connelly
February 10, 2017
Jimmy, I don't know if i made it clear in my first entry that you, the tarris boys, (johnny, bobby, dale, the twins , etc were the the oscoda kids?? i went on , have had goats since 1977, been state fair superintendent in nc for 6 years yadadada all because souls like you exist in my life. ty
February 10, 2017
this is lynn e. sweeney connelly in north carolina. u mite no nothing about me. i love your family and am very sorry about jimmy. always, lynn
Judith and Charles Carr
February 9, 2017
We are very sad to hear of the loss of your sweet Dad, Jim Draper. I can remember your mother and father so well from the Oscoda Baptist Church when we were young; they were always there for us. May you all be comforted in knowing you are being thought of at this difficult time and that we are praying for your family. Please accept our sincere condolences at this sad time.
Ken Canute
February 8, 2017
Mr. Draper will be missed. He was a family friend to me and my parents for years. He was always good to me. I will miss him.
GLEN WINCHELL
January 30, 2017
SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR PASSING. WERE A GOOD PERSON TO WORK WITH .
January 29, 2017
Jim: It's haard to believe your passing, we grew up to gether in Mt. Morris. It seems that we talked just a few months ago. I'LL miss you Jimmy
Jake LaFurgey, Mt. MOrris
Jack, Kathy, Champ, and Lily Adam
January 28, 2017
Jim, we still can not believe what took place and we both are very sad. You Nancy and your family are in our thoughts during this terrible time. Let it be known that if we were in Mi we would have our motorhome parked in your driveway until after Tuesday. Take care and from the Adam's family anything we can do let us know. Love you
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