James Allen Draeger

             James Allen Draeger, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on May 12, 2023 at the Georgetown Hospital. James was born in Walburg, Texas, to the late Bennie Draeger and Gertrude Kurio Draeger. He attended Zion Lutheran School in Walburg and was a graduate of Georgetown High School and Southwestern University where he was president of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. 

            While at Southwestern, he met Penny Lewis of Kilgore, Texas, and they were married in 1964.  After living briefly in Houston where James worked for Ford Motor Credit, the couple returned in 1966 to make their home in Georgetown where they raised their two sons, David and Donnie Draeger.

James went into business with his father at Draeger Motor Company which he helped manage for 36 years. During that time, he was a member of the Ford Dealers Council and was elected to the Ford Advertising Board as well as the Lincoln Advertising Board. He was also active in his church and the community. James was a devout Christian and a lifetime member of Zion Lutheran Church where he served as President of the Congregation. He also served for nine years on the Georgetown ISD school board.

Personally, James enjoyed several hobbies.  He loved flying his plane and was a member of the National Malibu Airplane Association and a private fixed-wing pilot for more than 20 years. He was also an avid hunter. He spent many happy times on his ranch near Marble Falls and at his lake property in Horseshoe Bay with family and friends. After health problems precluded his flying, he enjoyed taking folks out on his boat. In his later years, James was interested in photography and enjoyed editing and printing his own pictures.

James was a man of strong principle; he spoke directly and had a strong sense of right and wrong. He could disagree with you and remain lifelong friends. James was a family man foremost.  He enjoyed spending time with his family and adored his grandsons.

            In addition to his wife, Penny, and sons, David and Donnie, survivors include grandsons, Dylan and Worth, and daughters-in-law Amy and Rachel. Also survived by his brother, Ron Draeger, his wife Kim and daughters Teri Hargis (her husband John, and boys Alec and Scott) as well as Deborah Draeger and James’s Sister Barbara Ischy, her husband Steve and son Don Paul. 

            Visitation with the family will be held at The Gabriels Funeral Chapel on Friday, May 19 from 6-8 pm with the graveside services the following morning, held at Zion Lutheran Church in Walburg at 10:30 am, with the celebration of life in the church sanctuary beginning at 11 am.