- Date Of Birth: October 11, 1944
- Date Of Death: February 18, 2020
- State: Colorado
Jim was born in Somerset, Indiana to James Calvin and Edna Ruth (Tait) Draper on October 11, 1944. He graduated from Somerset High School in 1962, was drafted into the Army in 1965 and served 2 years, which included a stint in Germany. After that, he worked as a delivery driver for UPS. He married Dianne Hurd in January of 1969 and they soon began a life together on their farm north of Larwill. They lived on that farm for 50 years, raised their two children, Stacey and Scott and made many good memories there. Jim started working for his brother-in-law, Steve Reiff, as a painter and tree trimmer. He bought the outside painting and tree side of Steve Reiff Inc.
Besides his work, Jim loved riding a good trail on his horse or mule, floating a nearby lake in his johnboat with his dog, and especially spending time with his kids and grandkids in Colorado.
Jim suffered a brain aneurysm and stroke on May 29, 2019, followed by some seizures. He spent many months in and out of the hospital, as well as in a rehab and nursing facility in Indiana. He began to improve in September and was able to make the trip to Grand Junction, Colorado in November 2019 to be near his family. While there, he made strides in therapy for another month, but suffered more seizures and began a steady decline in his health in mid-January. Jim passed away on February 18, 2020 at HopeWest Hospice Center in Grand Junction surrounded by his family. Needless to say, this was a long journey for him as well as for the family, but he continued to keep his happy smile and positive outlook through it all. He made many new friends even at this time and positively affected each of them. He has left a great testimony and legacy for his kids and grandkids to follow of his faith and perseverance.
Jim is survived by his wife, L. Dianne (Hurd) Draper of Larwill, Indiana; his daughter Stacey L. (Jon) Moore of Glade Park, Colorado; his son Scott W. (Jodi) Draper of Loma, Colorado; grandchildren, Jody(Kaila) Mullin of Yorktown, Virginia, Garrett Draper and Brady Draper of Loma, Colorado.
He was preceded in death by his father, J.C. Draper; mother, Ruth Draper; and sisters, Trula Cramer and Doris Reiff.
