Benjamin Franklin Draper's Obituary
Benjamin Franklin (Frank) Draper passed away on April 25, 2010 at the age of 94 in Tacoma, WA. Ben was born in North Platte, Nebraska on October 25, 1915 to James and LaVerna Draper. The family soon moved on to Oregon, where he grew up. He moved to Tacoma, WA in 1940, where he met and married Marion Rainey and established his permanent home. He had a distinguished military career serving in the Navy, Army Infantry, Army Air Corp., and Air Force; retiring from the Air Force as a Chief Warrant Officer in 1962. Ben then went on to work for the U. S. Civil Service, where he retired as a GS-12 in 1977. In addition to his 41years of Military/Civil Service career, he was a management consultant for 25 years, with the L. H. Bates Vocational School in Tacoma. He also earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbanado, Illinois and a Masters of Science Degree from Chapman University of Orange, California.
Ben was preceded in death by Marion, his wife of 46 years. He is survived by sons Ben (Joyce) Draper, Richland, WA. and Mike Draper, Puyallup, WA; daughters Becky (Homer) Terry, Vancouver, WA. and Judy (Craig) Calhoun, Tacoma, WA; seven Grandchildren: Kim Kruger, Heather Fiskness, Lara Clower, Colleen Allen, Matthew Calhoun, Jarred Draper and Haleigh Draper; five Great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
At his request, a family Military Graveside Service will be conducted at the Mountain View Cemetery in Tacoma. A Memorial Service will be held at 4:00pm, May 8, 2010, in the Oak Room of the Mountain View Celebration of Life Center at 4100 Steilacoom Blvd, Lakewood WA 98499 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the fund of your choice.
Due to his great love for life, his family and literature; he asks to be remembered as so adequately expressed by Robert Louis Stevenson's Poem B "Requiem". Under the wide and starry sky Dig my grave and let me lie. Glad did I live and gladly die And I lay me down with a will. This be the verse you grave for me Here he lies where he longed to be; Home is the sailor, home from the sea, And the hunter home from the hill.
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