Richard Draper

Dick was born October 2, 1931, in Park City, Utah, when it was still a mining town and long before it became a ski resort. After his dad contracted black lung from the mine, he moved his family to Carey, Idaho, for the fresh air. There, Dick worked at farming and ranching with his friends, Gordon and Nell Dredge. He did some rodeoing during this time, competing in bare back and bull riding. After high school, the family moved to Boise, where Dick joined the Air Force and was stationed in Japan during the Korean War. After his discharge from the Air force, Dick returned home and married Mina Larsen. They were married for 18 years and had five children. Dick worked many jobs during this time to support the family. He was a used car salesman, a welder, and an exterminator. Dick also worked for Harry and David Fruit and for the BLM. Through most of this time, he continued working at the Idaho Air National Guard. He was influential in the original Credit Union for the National Guard which started with a cigar box on his desk. Though they did not have much, Dick had one job that taught his children about giving. He was the director of the Nampa Opportunity Center. The Center was located in the old mansion that once stood in the middle of Lake View Park in Nampa. The Center offered classes in cooking, English and provided help in attaining GED's. In addition, Dick would have his children do work around the Center and help distribute clothing and food to the homes of people in need. It was a lesson that no matter how little you may think you have, there is always some way to help others. In 1971, Dick, using the sewing talent he had learned during the service, opened Idaho Tent and Canvas in downtown Meridian, Idaho. He worked hard building this business from scratch and it continues to this day because of the countless hours he worked. In 1975, he married Margie Lacy and together they built a second home, a log cabin, in Couch. They also operated the Hitchin' Post Cafe on the banks of the Payette River for short time. After 17 years together, they divorced and, sometime after that, Dick found his high school sweet heart, Jeannie Thompson. He put a home on her property and they took care of each other for twenty years until Jeannie passed away on Oct 2, 2009, the same date they both shared as a birthday. Dick's parents and siblings preceded him in passing. He is survived by his children, Brian and Pam Draper of Meridian, Steve Draper of Boise, Denise and Kevin Mason also of Boise, Tanya Lafee of Carlsbad, California, and Stanley and Deb Draper of Meridian. Dick is also survived by ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. He also had two friends at the shop that the family refers to as his favorite sons, Rick Pew and Gary Farnsworth. The family extends its thanks to the doctors and staff at the VA hospital and the staff of Treasure Valley Hospice, Carrie and Elaine Nelson, for taking such good care of him during his final days. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010 at 2:00pm in Dry Creek Cemetery in Boise, ID. Arrangements are under the direction of Meridian's Chapel of the Chimes Funeral Home; 888-4454.