Kevin Barton Draper of Woodway, Texas, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 15, 2015. Services will be held 10 a.m., Tuesday, October 20, at Cogdell Memorial United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Rosemound Cemetery. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, October 19, at Wilkerson-Hatch-Bailey.
Kevin was born on November 27, 1948, in Stamford, Connecticut, to Barton and Joan Draper; he almost arrived at the Macy's Christmas Parade. Life was a parade for Kevin. He was always helping someone, or creating something. In death, he was a skin and tissue donor for UT Southwestern Medical Center. Kevin loved life and lived life to the fullest. He participated numerous years at Bonneville Salt Flats in Land Speed Racing.
Kevin graduated from Richfield High School in 1967. He attended Stephen F. Austin University and then joined the U.S. Navy for three tours. He served in Vietnam. During his time in the U.S. Navy, where he was a boatswain's mate, he was awarded the Bronze Star. After returning home, Kevin worked for Karen and Richard Carpenter (musical group); he then started the Waco Genie Detail Shop. He later started Majestic Turbochargers of: Waco, Irving, Tampa, Florida, and Birmingham, Alabama. He had several patents on turbocharger designs. He consulted with the U.S. Army on tank turbochargers, and with his spouse and other defense department personnel, on preventing IEDs with pulsing devices, during both Desert Storm campaigns.
Kevin was a member of Cogdell Memorial United Methodist Church. Kevin was preceded in death by his first wife, Sharon; his farther, Bart; his mother, Joan; his mentor, Don Vesco; friend and business partner, John Myers, and his beloved dog, Muffy. He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Hewett Draper; his step children, Ursula Keen Hays, and spouse, Jet; grandchildren, Trace and Harrison of Salado, Texas; John Clate Keen and spouse, Dawn, grandchildren Austin and Rosie of Pt. Republic, Maryland; brother, Dennis Draper, of Asheville, North Carolina; and sister, Patty, and spouse Billy Davis, of Waco; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins.
Memorials may be made to Cogdell Memorial United Methodist Church; Fuzzy Friends; American Cancer Society; Wounded Warriors; Samaritan's Purse, or the charity of your choice.
"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up,totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW! What A Ride!'"
I am so sorry to read of Kevin's passing. I send my sympathies and best wishes. I loved reading the obituary and am glad that you got to be along for at least part of Kevin's ride through life. I hope to see you in June.
Linda Hewett (Draper)
Kevin Barton Draper of Woodway, Texas, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 15, 2015. Services will be held 10 a.m., Tuesday, October 20, at Cogdell Memorial United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Rosemound Cemetery. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, October 19, at Wilkerson-Hatch-Bailey.
Kevin was born on November 27, 1948, in Stamford, Connecticut, to Barton and Joan Draper; he almost arrived at the Macy's Christmas Parade. Life was a parade for Kevin. He was always helping someone, or creating something. In death, he was a skin and tissue donor for UT Southwestern Medical Center. Kevin loved life and lived life to the fullest. He participated numerous years at Bonneville Salt Flats in Land Speed Racing.
Kevin graduated from Richfield High School in 1967. He attended Stephen F. Austin University and then joined the U.S. Navy for three tours. He served in Vietnam. During his time in the U.S. Navy, where he was a boatswain's mate, he was awarded the Bronze Star. After returning home, Kevin worked for Karen and Richard Carpenter (musical group); he then started the Waco Genie Detail Shop. He later started Majestic Turbochargers of: Waco, Irving, Tampa, Florida, and Birmingham, Alabama. He had several patents on turbocharger designs. He consulted with the U.S. Army on tank turbochargers, and with his spouse and other defense department personnel, on preventing IEDs with pulsing devices, during both Desert Storm campaigns.
Kevin was a member of Cogdell Memorial United Methodist Church. Kevin was preceded in death by his first wife, Sharon; his farther, Bart; his mother, Joan; his mentor, Don Vesco; friend and business partner, John Myers, and his beloved dog, Muffy. He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Hewett Draper; his step children, Ursula Keen Hays, and spouse, Jet; grandchildren, Trace and Harrison of Salado, Texas; John Clate Keen and spouse, Dawn, grandchildren Austin and Rosie of Pt. Republic, Maryland; brother, Dennis Draper, of Asheville, North Carolina; and sister, Patty, and spouse Billy Davis, of Waco; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins.
Memorials may be made to Cogdell Memorial United Methodist Church; Fuzzy Friends; American Cancer Society; Wounded Warriors; Samaritan's Purse, or the charity of your choice.
"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up,totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW! What A Ride!'"
Kay Bull (Danielson)
Linda,
I am so sorry to read of Kevin's passing. I send my sympathies and best wishes. I loved reading the obituary and am glad that you got to be along for at least part of Kevin's ride through life. I hope to see you in June.
Kay Bull Danielson