Neil Demar Draper

On March 3rd 2025 Heaven just got a whole lot more irreverent as our dad, husband, grandpa and poppy Neil Demar Draper left his mortal body here to be united with his daughter, son and 11 brothers and sisters. He died of an unrelenting disease and too many birthdays. He celebrated his 94th birthday just 1 week before.

Neil was born on February 25th, 1931 to Jessie Rosco and Dora Richards Draper in Midway Utah. He always said that Midway was “God’s Country.” He was #11 of 12 kids. His siblings always said he was his moms favorite child. Neil had built in best friends as there were 6 kids under the age of 4. 2 sets of twins back to back, then Neil – and 13 months later the baby of the family.

At a very young age Neil learned how to work hard as he and his brothers would milk cows before school in the dark and then at night after the sun went down. Grandma Draper would make them a huge pancake with butter and sugar, roll it up and send them on their way. At night grandma had dinner on the table and it was every man for himself. He would tell us that if you didn’t grab what you wanted the 1st time you didn’t get anything. He shared a bed with 2 of his brothers. The nights were so cold in the winter that they would put a big rock in the fireplace, wrap it in a towel and put it in the bottom of the bed to stay warm.

Those Draper Boys were always up to mischief. If one of them wasn’t thinking of trouble, the rest of them were. It was said that if you caught one of them alone they would get the tar beat out of them but if they were together everyone else would run the other way.

When Neil was in high school he met a beautiful girl Louise Smith from Heber City. Louise had already dated a couple of his brothers but she had her eye on Neil. He was so shy and had a hard time asking her out. Neil would walk from Midway to Heber to court her, sometimes in very cold, snowy weather. Neil & Louise graduated from Wasatch High School in 1949.

Neil got his mission call to the Southern States but Uncle Sam had other plans for him. He had to rescind his mission call and was told to report to the draft office. Louise & Neil were sure he would be shipping out soon so they decided to get married before he would have to leave. They were married on February 7th, 1951. Little did they know that Grandma Dora stepped in to advocate for him. She already had 4 sons serving in the military so she was not willing to let another one go.

Not long after they were married Neil was hired by Standard Oil to manage a service station in Elko NV. Mom followed him, kicking and screaming. After working in NV for over 5 years they finally came back to Salt Lake City.

Neil leased a Station on Beck Street for about 6 years. He was offered a Phillips 66 station in Rose Park which he gladly accepted. He always loved having a neighborhood service station and the Rose Park Community was the perfect place. He was always proud to call Rose Park his second home.

Later his sons Kent, Chris & Scott joined him. Kent went on to do other things but Neil, Chris & Scott started “The Pro”.

When Neil wasn’t under a car in the shop or rescuing someone on the side of the road, you could find him mentoring the neighborhood boys through Boy Scouts, hitting the golf course, sitting in the sun waiting for the fish to bite, or cheering on the grandkids at their countless games and performances. On the rare chance he was sitting still, he loved kicking back in his recliner and watching Gunsmoke or Walker, Texas Ranger (and telling everyone that he taught Walker how to fight).

Neil is survived by his loving wife Louise, sons Kent (Teresa), Scott (Jolene) Draper, Daughter Susan (Boyd) Marshall, Daughter-in-law Afton Draper. 18 grandkids, 29 great-grand kids and 1 great, great grandson talking to him about what to expect when he comes in July.

He is preceded in death by his daughter Peggy Barr, Son Chris Draper and a grandson John Draper.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Cascade Hospice–especially Amanda and Juan for the excellent care, Brenda from Home Helpers, Tussy from Salt Lake County Aging Services, and so many friends for their love and prayers.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday March 10th, 2025 at 11:30 am at the South Salt Lake Stake Center 2280 So 300 East. A viewing will be held Sunday March 9th from 6-8 pm at the same location, and one hour before funeral services on March 10th.