Gary Dwight Draper

It was a cool 65 on a San Francisco Morn- August 14th was the date Gary Draper was born! He played in Golden Gate park ‘til his heart was content- At age 10 he moved to Sacramento where horses and 4H his talents were bent! Going to college and working at a drug store part time- He met his future spouse and she was in her prime! (it was a blind date). They married 3 years later and when his college diploma he got- They already had 2 little girls, a home purchased, now that’s quite a lot! (Doreen and Denise) A year later an awesome offer transpired-As an Eli Lilly Rep- he was one of the 1st non-pharmacist hired! Two little boys were born and graced the family tree-(Gregg and Jeffrey). Gary was coach of baseball, threw footballs, mentored track, and was in-experienced in all three! During the next years a 20/30 Club President he became-The Director of the Children’s Museum he also added to his fame! They were sent (By Eli Lilly) to Indianapolis in 1972-Where friendly Hoosiers greeted them with much a to do! Next he was transferred to New York- but only for 3 year- Where boating on Long Island Sound became very dear! Back to Indy for the next 22 years-where Director he was named-He was in charge of PR and Sales Training- They really are the same! While in Indy he realized he had quite a passion-He began jogging, then running after a fashion! He ran several Marathons-Dallas, San Francisco, New York and Miami- He even carried the Olympic Torch (no nothing rhymes with Miami!) He and his wife have been blessed with awesome children and their spouses galore- (Rudy, Andrew, Mary, Deborah). With 9 amazing grandchildren, they just could not ask for more!! (Alexander, Michael, Peter, Nicholas, Julia, Sarah, Natalia, Jonathan, Sophia) After 26 years with Eli Lilly, Gary retired in 1993- They left Indianapolis and settled in Biscayne Bay on the Key. Gary worked in Miami at Ivax Pharmaceuticals as V.P. Then started a company including Extend Bar- which boost your energy. Gary has been President of KB Rotary, where parties and new members were his dream-He was also Fleet Captain of the Yacht Club and again “Fun” was his theme! In 2005 from Indianapolis to Southlake, Texas they moved- It was warmer, no snow to shovel and with family they still grooved! He tried his hand at golf-but that there ball didn’t always do its best- His 40 foot yacht was his love- especially in his favorite place- Key West! Key Biscayne was his mistress- from there he would hardly roam- he liked to walk its beaches and look at the sea foam! The Yacht Club was his lair-it is there he likes to prowl- He loved the sunsets and toasts the night like an owl! He sat on the porch and watched the ocean-and viewed the birds-flying in motion! Now his soul takes flight to be with our Lord-Our Prayers go with him as to heaven he soared.

Gary D. Draper went to his heavenly home on January 15, 2017.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at Whites Chapel United Methodist Church Founder’s Chapel- 185 South White Chapel Blvd. Southlake, Texas 76092 from 9am to 11am. A Memorial service will be celebrated at 11am.

If you wish to remember Gary, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the following: North Central Texas Alzheimer’s Association, Fort Worth Chapter, 2630 West Freeway, Ste 100, Fort Worth, TX 76102 or Whites Chapel United Methodist Church, Care and Support Ministry, 185 South White Chapel Blvd., Southlake, Texas 76092