Ralph Joseph Draper

I was in the service with Ralph (Bubba). I have many memories but my favorites are driving around the countryside in his old Apache pickup looking for barn finds/pasture finds (cars or trucks). He was a great friend.

Our dad's favorite song was Ole Man River, about the permanence of life with or without us. Mom's favorite was Moon River, about love. Both Ralph and I would go down to the river spillway at Batesville and gain a sense of peace from the "white noise" which somehow put all the troubles of the world at a distance.
I remember as teens we received the same sense of peace, oddly enough from thunderstorms. We would sometimes stand on the large stone front porch and witness the violent power of the storm knowing that we were perfectly safe. Once, we were watching a particularly violent storm which was just settling, when a man across the street stepped out on his small porch to drink his coffee. Two or three seconds later an electrical transformer behind his house exploded. He scurried into the front door like a frightened mouse. A moment later, he realized we were watching from the other side of the street and feeling foolish he began to step back on the porch to 'save face'. Realizing it was too late, he turned back immediately, hoping we wouldn't notice. Ralph and I immediately looked at each other and burst out laughing. we are all so concerned about how we look to others.
Ralph was not much for appearance, pomp or circumstance. No formal arrangements have been made. If there were, informal dress would be required. Apologies to several who asked about attending services. This is my second attempt to post this, and I do not see where the Batesville Daily Guard reposted his obituary. Ralph's ashes will be distributed in the White River near Batesville. Though this notice is two weeks late, your comments and recollections are still welcome. God's Blessings! Christ's Peace! <><