Thomas Henry Draper

1941 - 2017

Thomas Henry Draper

Milton, DE-Thomas Henry Draper, 76 years old of Milford, Delaware passed away at the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, Maryland, surrounded by his family. He was born August 18, 1941 in Media, Pennsylvania, son of the late William Reed Draper and Ruth Kelley Draper.

Tom was raised in Milford, spending summers in nearby Slaughter Beach. His schooling took him to the Mount Hermon School in Gill, Massachusetts and ultimately to Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Draper was a multi-sport athlete excelling on the lacrosse field. He was the captain of the 1964 Brown team and named All-American that year as well. He was inducted into Brown University's Athletic Hall of Fame.

After graduating from college, Draper moved back home to Sussex County, DE and bought a radio station. It became WTHD, which bore his initials as its call letters. Five years later Draper signed on WAFL-FM. Draper's broadcasting career would take a big turn in 1980 when he purchased WBOC-TV, later adding FOX21. In late 2015, Draper and WBOC returned to their radio roots with the launch of WBOC 102.5 FM. At the time of his death, Draper was poised to announce the launch of Delmarva's newest television station, Telemundo Delmarva. On Sept. 3, 2017, Tom Draper celebrated 50 years in broadcasting.

Tom was passionate about land and wildlife conservation. He was an avid hunter and spent time in Big Sky, Montana. He loved art, history, cycling, hiking, skiing, politics, education and his garden. First and foremost, he loved his family and friends, traveling with his partner Francesca to spend time with his grandchildren and to visit friends near and far.

Tom is survived by his four children and nine grandchildren: daughter, Mariah Draper Calagione and her husband Sam of Lewes, DE and their children Sam and Grier; daughter Molly Draper Russell and her husband Bobby of Orlando, FL and their children Mason, Olivia, Liza and Mack; son Thomas Henry 'Hank' Draper Jr. and his wife Amy of Milton, DE and their children Thomas, Linley and Harlow; and his son William Reed 'Bill' Draper II of Milton, DE. Additionally, his two sisters: Ruth Draper and Diane McGuire both of Dover, De; and his loving partner Francesca Curtin of NY, NY.

A visitation will be from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm on Thursday, September 14, 2017. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, September 15, 2017. Both services will be held at Crossroad Community Church, 20684 State Forest Rd., Georgetown, DE. Burial will be held privately.

Memorial donations may be made to the Draper Holdings Charitable Foundation, One The Square, Milton, DE 19968, which will benefit non-profit organizations that Tom was particularly passionate about.

Arrangements in the care of Short Funeral Services, Milton, DE.