OBITUARY
George Wilford Draper Jr., 80, passed away on December 17, 2025. He was born on September 10, 1945, in San Angelo, Texas, to Corene Luedecke Draper and George Wilford Draper Sr.
He grew up with his younger sisters Mary Ann and Candy on a ranch right outside of Eldorado. When he was just 12-years old, he traded his horse for a Model A Ford that he rebuilt himself. He loved football and played throughout high school. He farmed cotton to pay his way to Texas Tech University, where he graduated with a Degree in Pre-law.
After college he married Vicki Olive, and together they had two daughters, Shay and Tobi, who were his pride and joy.
He was an exceptional father; deeply loving, protective, and present. Tobi held a particularly tender place in his heart and his devotion to her was unwavering. Though Shay and Tobi are both now in their 50s, they proudly remained “Daddy’s girls,” talking on the phone to him nearly every day, and seeing each other every week.
George assisted his former father-in-law in opening and operating the first Der Wienerschnitzel in San Angelo. He was then drafted, and proudly served his country in the Army as staff sergeant in the Vietnam War.
After serving, he returned home to attend ASU while working as a realtor and raising a family, where he received his degree in accounting. He founded Draper Data Management (DDM) Services, which started with billing, and led into a full accounting business.
He then became a self-taught computer guru, building computers and writing extensive software programs for business all over West Texas, demonstrating both his intelligence and entrepreneurial spirit.
Later in life, George married his beloved wife, who he affectionately referred to as “my precious wife,” Joan Doyle Draper. He told her he loved her many countless times each day. He had the joy of helping her with “the grandkids daycare” for their grandchildren, great-grandkids, and great-nieces and nephews. Together, they helped raise many children, building memories that will be cherished forever. George and Joan shared 35 wonderful years of marriage.
George was an extremely faith-filled man whose mission in life was to tell people about Jesus. Sharing his faith was not just something he believed in, it was how he lived. He was rarely without a Bible to give away, a simple but powerful ministry that touched countless lives.
He was on the very first men’s Concho Country Walk to Emmaus held in Kerrville. He then served in many roles on different walks throughout his younger years. Later he would go on to serve over 20 years in church praise bands, as well as children’s and youth ministries with Joan.
Just this past Monday he stopped in at the Sterling County Nursing home and sang “Oh Holy Night” for his daughter Tobi and her friends.
George and Joan cherished the fact that they took every grand and great-grand kid to church camp, taught AWANAS, Sunday school, and years of VBS. He planted seeds everywhere he went.
In more recent years George discovered a deep love for woodworking, knife making, leatherwork, and crafting bows and arrows. He was a man of many talents and took pride in creating things with his hands.
George is survived by his wife, Joan Draper, his daughters, Shay (Lee) Draper and Tobi Draper, his stepsons, Shaun Bishop and Chad (Mary) Bishop, his grandkids, Ashley (Josh) Draper, Kelsey Bishop, Ryan Bishop, and Savannah Bishop, and his very special great-grandchildren, Anthony and Kalyssa Quintana, and Brayson, Kinslee, and Asher Kelly. He is also survived by his sisters, Mary Ann (John) Calvert and Candy (Kurtis) Homer, along with numerous nieces and nephews who were very special to him.
George will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, faithful servant of God, veteran, and a man who lived with purpose. His legacy of faith, love, service, and generosity will continue to live on through the many lives he touched.
Service will be held Monday, December 22, 2025 at 11am at Paulann Church in the Impact Auditorium. Graveside service to follow at Lawnhaven Cemetery.
— From Shaffer Funeral Home
