Apr 12, 1951 - Apr 17, 2016
Posted by Martha Reddout
Joseph Foster Draper passed away April 17, 2016 at the age of 65 years and 5 days at the Great Plains Regional Medical Center, Elk City, OK.
Joe was born on April 12, 1951 at Sayre Memorial Hospital, Sayre, Oklahoma. He was the fourth child and first son of Velma and D.A. Draper.
He attended Sayre Public Schools and graduated from high school in 1969. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford, OK in 1973. After completing student teaching in Erick, OK, he decided to join his Dad in the family Pontiac-GMC business, Draper Motor Company in 1970. He acquired Chevrolet in 1984 and combined and relocated the dealerships on Old Hwy 66 in Sayre.
Joe married, Laqueta Robertson on August 14, 1970 in Sayre. Their son Jason was born on February 13, 1973.
Joe was an involved Sayre businessman where he enjoyed
supporting Jaycees, Lion's Club, Sayre Industrial Development, and numerous
Chamber of Commerce events. He loved supporting various community organizations
by furnishing new cars for parades and special events. He was one of the
organizers of the annual antique car show.
Joe garnered many awards and accolades during his years with General Motors
including "Top Selling Dealer" and "Excellence in Customer Satisfaction". He was
awarded with many trips to countries throughout the world.
Joe Draper enjoyed life to the fullest and always saw the best in everyone. He enjoyed going to the dealership everyday where he looked forward to interacting with his staff, customers and friends. When he wasn't at work you could find him on the golf course with his buddies. Joe had big plans for his retirement as he spent countless hours going through automotive memorabilia that he had saved, collected, and catalogued. His intentions were to open an automobile related museum in the old Draper Motor Company in downtown Sayre. His dreams were dashed when in 2011 the building and contents were destroyed by fire.
Joe loved his family unconditionally. The hours spent on
family vacations were precious to him. But it was those times he watched Grace
compete at Gymnastic Meets and Andrew play guitar in his band that really warmed
his heart. Joe had purchased Andrew's first guitar and encouraged him to play.
How comforting it must have been to Joe, when, in the waning hours of his life,
he heard his grandson playing his grandfather's guitar.
Joe was preceded in death by his mother, Velma Jenkins Draper and father, Dolph
Albert Draper.
Mr. Draper is survived by his wife, Laqueta Lea Robertson
Draper, his son and daughter-in-law, Jason D. Draper and Kristin Nunnally
Draper, grandson, Andrew Foster Draper and granddaughter, Grace Bell Draper of
Sulphur, LA, sisters, Barbara Lambert, Newcastle, OK, DeAnne Bell, Elk City, OK,
and Linda Galindo of Mustang along with many other relatives and a host of
friends.
The family requests that memorial donations be made to the American Cancer
Society, Leukemia Research.
The family will be available during visitation to greet friends on Wednesday evening, April 20, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Services will be held Thursday, April 21, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Fellowship with Andy Taylor officiating. Burial will be at Sayre-Doxey Cemetery under the direction of Rose Chapel Funeral Service. Condolences can be made online at www.whineryfs.com.
A video keepsake is available through www.whineryfs.com.
Visitation Tuesday,
April 19, 2016
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Funeral Service Thursday, April 21,
2016
10:00 AM