

Marshall Bryan Draper was born on November 1, 1942 in Cookeville, Tennessee to Huland and Dorothy (Glisson) Draper. He spent his early years in Memphis, Tennessee with his mother and his Glisson grandparents while his father served in the Army Finance Corps in Europe during WWII.
Bryan went to Central High School in Cookeville, Tennessee where he was a highly acclaimed football player. He then attended Castle Heights Military School for a year, after which he received a primary appointment to West Point. Bryan decided to stay in state to play college football, first as a freshman at the University of Tennessee and then at Tennessee Tech. Bryan was an all-Ohio Valley Conference player for two years at Tennessee Tech. He graduated from Tech with a bachelor’s degree in Math Education. In 1966 Bryan was recruited to the Minnesota Vikings as a free agent, where he played under the legendary coach Norm Van Brocklin. While there, Norm gave Bryan the nickname ‘Lurch’ because of his domineering presence. His pro career was short-lived due to numerous back surgeries.
Bryan then became a high school teacher and coach at Cleveland High School. He taught Algebra and Advanced Math, coaching the school math team. Bryan was also the assistant football coach and head wrestling coach. He impacted so many lives in just a few short years at Cleveland High School.
He met Sharon Leonhard, a senior at UT, and their marriage in December 1978 saved Bryan from confirmed bachelorhood. They shared a lifelong love and partnership, two wonderful, accomplished, devoted children and later four incredible grandchildren.
Always adventurous and athletic, Bryan’s hobbies included sky diving, scuba diving, hunting, photography, and golf. He was a true VFL (Vol For Life); college football season was his favorite time of the year.
Bryan is preceded in death by his parents Huland and Dorothy (Glisson) Draper; his parents-in-law David and Evelyn Leonhard; his brother-in-law Mark Leonhard; and his nephew Major Derrick Glen Draper, US Army Ranger. He is survived by Sharon Leonhard Draper, his wife for 38 years and very close friend for the last 6 years; their son David and wife Lauren and their children, Hank Bryan and Harlan Cait Draper; their daughter Rachel, wife Erika and their boys Cruz McRae and Mac Harrison Draper; his brother H. Glen Draper (wife Marilyn King Draper); and his nephew Davis Glen Draper (wife Julie Gibbons Draper).
The family will welcome friends at Northside Christian Church on Sunday, September 11th at 1:00 pm for a memorial service honoring Bryan’s life. Fellowship and a light snack will follow after the service. Donations may be made in Bryan’s honor to Children’s Hospital or Northside Christian Church.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BerryHighlandWest.com for the Draper family.
DONATIONS
East Tennessee Children's Hospital
Northside Christian Church 4008 Tazewell Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee 37918
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