Dennis F. Draper

It is with sadness we announce the passing of Dennis Fred Draper, age 83. He peacefully left us on March 22, 2026 at Peppi’s House/TMC in Tucson, Arizona surrounded by his son Scott Draper, daughter Christine (Draper) Ando and his daughter-in-law Paige Draper. He was born February 13, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan, son of the late Walter and Marian Draper and happily grew up on a farm in Williamston, Michigan. He had three sisters, Sharon Norton, Shirley Price, Jacqueline Beck and a brother, Walter “Bud” Elliott. Dennis was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force. After leaving the service, he settled back on a farm right next door to his childhood home in Williamston, where he and his wife Paula Draper raised two sons, Mark and Scott Draper. Dennis worked for Chrysler Financial Corporation and the family relocated to Grand Junction, Colorado in 1978 where their daughter Christine was born. The whole family moved one more time in 1982 to settle in Tucson, Arizona. Dennis never stopped reminiscing about his fondness growing up on a farm in Michigan and he always wished life would someday take him back home. Dennis was a voracious Kindle reader. He especially loved reading country western novels, listening to Willie Nelson music and he had a tenderness for Boxer puppies. In addition to his parents and siblings, Dennis was preceded in death by his son, Mark Draper (2002). He is survived by his sister Shirley Price of California, son Scott Draper of Tucson, daughter-in-law Paige Draper and daughter Christine (Draper) Ando of Frederick, Maryland. He is also survived by granddaughters Kayla Brownmiller, Ashley Draper, Hannah Draper and Lindsay Draper. He had 6 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be private for family only. He will lay in rest at East Lawn Cemetery next to his parents and his son. Donations may be made in Dennis’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.