Michael Dean Draper

Michael Dean Draper
Michael Dean Draper 56, passed away September 12, 2010. He was born January 8, 1954 in San Luis Obispo to Jim and Edna Draper. Mike attended local Santa Maria schools, graduating from Santa Maria High School in 1973 and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a Crop Science degree in 1978. Upon graduation, he was employed with the Frank J. Olocco Company of Guadalupe as a pest control advisor. Mike later left Olocco to become part owner of Santa Maria Valley Crop Service (SMVCS) where he led the company for more than 15 years. In 2005, Mike acquired full ownership of SMVCS with his son Mikey as a partner.
Many will remember Mike as a three-sport star athlete. His football accomplishments include: leading his football team to the Northern League Championship in 1973, Northern League Player of the Year two seasons in a row, and he set the school record for returning a kickoff of 97 yards. As a wrestler, Mike was CIF Southern Section Champion in 1973 and won third place in the state. He also led the Saints' Baseball team to the Northern League title in 1973. These accomplishments were the driving force behind Mike's attainment of the CIF Southern Section Athlete of the Year and induction into the CIF Southern California Hall of Fame.
Mike was a local businessman with a heart of gold who so lovingly donated much of his time and money to the community through programs such as 4-H, FFA, and many other charitable causes. A motto Mike lived by was, "What's mine is yours," as was evident through his kind-hearted, giving nature. He was always the first to offer anything he had to those in need and would tell friends, family, or just about anyone, "Whatever you need... take it."
In his spare time Mike was an avid hunter. Mike's love for his children and the outdoors included taking seasonal hunting trips around the world. The most recent of these trips was a surprise father-daughter trip to Scotland. His daughter Aly came home with a prize trophy stag and he came back as a proud dad. He cherished every moment spent with his children and was beyond excited about becoming a grandfather in just a few short months. He beamed with pride at the idea of his first grandson carrying on the Draper legacy.
Mike enjoyed socializing and entertaining family and friends, spending time at the Rancho, and his Heritage Ranch lake house. Some of his favorite pass-times included barbecuing and telling stories that never failed to entertain. His famous story opener was, "You're never gonna believe this one...".
Mike is survived by his son Michael Draper and daughter-in-law Jessica of Nipomo, daughter Alyson Draper of Santa Maria, and the mother of his children Lisa of Santa Maria, father and mother, Jim & Edna Draper of Minden, NV, sister Vickie Draper and Joelene Strozzi of Reno, NV, brother Jimmy Draper and sister-in-law Karen of Santa Maria. Uncle Mike leaves behind many nieces and nephews. He will be missed greatly by all his friends of the Santa Maria Valley and beyond. Mike surrounded himself with people that shared in the love of family, the outdoors, and living life to its fullest. Quoting Mike himself, "I love every day of my life and it don't get much better..."
Visitations will be held on Thursday, September 16, 2010 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm in the Chapel of Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary. A Rosary service will follow the visitations on Thursday beginning at 7:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, September 17, 2010 at St. Louis De Montfort Catholic Church at 11:00 am, followed by burial in the Santa Maria Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Mike would have liked nothing more than your continued support of your local 4-H, FFA, and youth athletics.
Arrangements are under the direction of Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens.

Dudley-Hoffman
Mortuary & Crematory
(805) 922-8463
www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com


This obituary was originally published in the Santa Maria Times.