Jim Draper, 82, longtime Guymon resident, passed away early Sunday, June 26, 2016 in Amarillo, Texas.

Born January 15, 1934, Jimmie Leo Draper was the only child of Alice (Tarrant) and Leo Draper of Orlando, Oklahoma.  He attended Mullhall and Marshall schools and graduated (1956) from Panhandle A&M College, Goodwell, Oklahoma.   Following college, Jim served in the United States Army and the Army Reserve Engineers.  While in the military, he married his forever sweetheart, Carrie Lou Langston, at the Victory Memorial United Methodist Church.  The Drapers made Guymon their home, where they farmed and reared their family.   

Jimmie L. Draper was a husband, father, “Paps” to his grandchildren,  friend,  farmer,  clodbuster, businessman,  a trader, collector or a junkman, (depending on the day and the auction),  patron and supporter to many worthy efforts, a champion and advocate for agriculture, Guymon, the Panhandle and OPSU.

At the age of 82, Jimmie was farming and waiting on a good year for the crops.  He served on various boards, locally and statewide, serving as president of the Texas County Farm Bureau, Soil and Water Conservation Boards, had held a position on the Oklahoma State Board of Agriculture and was recently honored the Regents Business Partnership Excellence Award by the State of Oklahoma. 

As an OPSU Aggie Alumni, Draper was honored as a Distinguished Contributor, served on the President’s Advisory Committee and invested in many students over the years, through jobs at Draper Farms and lifelong friendships.    Jim served his town and community in the early years as a Kids Inc. Coach and later as a Guymon Chamber of Commerce member and ambassador, and was honored as the 2007 Guymon Citizen of the Year.  Jim was a trustee for Tri-County Electric Co-op, life member of the Guymon Masonic Lodge and an Oklahoma Panhandle Shriner.  He was a devoted member of Victory Memorial United Methodist Church, serving on various boards and committees and was active in Methodist Men.

Draper Farm Headquarters, that showcased Jim’s love of auctions, a good trade, and overall interest in just about everything, hosted many community, state and OPSU activities.  Jimmie Draper, at 6 and ½ feet tall, was large and generous with his commitment and love for his family and Oklahoma.     

He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Garrett Leo Draper (1987).

Survivors include his wife of 58 years,  Carrie Lou Draper; daughter, Lisa Draper Baker of Amarillo, Texas;  son, Kerrick Draper and wife, Tracy of Tulsa, Oklahoma; granddaughters, Allandra Draper of Tulsa; Garrah Draper of Pune, India; Sydney Draper of Norman, OK; and grandson, Kelton Draper of Tulsa.       

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, June 30th, 11:00 AM at Victory Memorial United Methodist Church, 521 North Roosevelt, Guymon,  with burial following in Elmhurst Cemetery.    

Visitation will be Wednesday afternoon, 12:00 noon to 7:00 PM at Henson-Novak Funeral Directors, 501 NW Fifth, Guymon, with the family receiving friends from 5:00-7:00 PM.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to the OPSU Foundation, Shriners Hospitals, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or Loaves and Fishes Food Cupboard, c/o Henson-Novak Funeral Directors, P.O. Box 1306, Guymon, OK  73942.

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