Obituary of John Burkhard Draper, Jr.

John Burkhard Draper, Jr. of Fort Washington died September 25th at the age of 89, with his wife, Ruth Hasemeyer Draper, at his side. John had a long and varied life. He was born in Philadelphia in 1925, son of the late John B Draper, Sr. and the late Helen Scott Draper. He graduated from Haverford High School, Class of 1944 and immediately enlisted in the United States Navy where he served in a Navy band. He married Barbara White Draper (deceased) of Rochester, NY. He earned his Bachelor's Degree at Temple University and later, a Master's Degree in Business at Drexel University. He was a long-time employee of General Electric Company in the sub-contracting department of their Re-Entry and Space Division. During his entire life, he played both clarinet and saxophone with various local bands. With Ruth, he traveled all over the world, making friends in several countries. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, loved birding and refinishing wood. John is survived by his sons, Jeffrey B. Draper (Susan) of McVeytown, PA, R. Bruce Thompson, III, MD (Phoebe Everson, MD) of Plattsburgh, NY, his step-sons, Robert L. Cofer (Vicky) of Reno, NV, and John S. Cofer (Brenda) of Richmond, VA, and his step-daughter, Susan Cofer (Dan Haas) of Kansas City, MO. He is also survived by granddaughter Rachel M. Draper of McVeytown, grandsons R. Benjamin Thompson (Valentina) of Milan, Italy, Joshua J. Thompson of Denver, CO, William H. C. Haas and Russell A. C. Haas, both of Kansas City, KS, Jacob Ikaika Cofer of Portland, OR, granddaughters Heather Cofer Cox (Christopher) of Chesterfield, VA, Krystal R. Cofer of Chesterfield, VA, and Kalei V. Cofer, of Berlin, Germany along with great-granddaughter Haley N. Cofer and great grandson Bradley S. Cox, both of Virginia. John is also survived by his brother, Robert S. Draper of Basking Ridge, NJ, two nieces and a nephew. John was a member of Abington Presbyterian Church, Abington PA. Memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 24, 2015, Abington Presbyterian Church, Old York and Susquehanna Roads, Abington. Relatives and friends will be received, during a luncheon, after the service. Interment in Arlington Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations in his memory to any of the following: Abington Presbyterian Church, 1082 Old York Road, Abington, PA, 19001, your local High School band or Music Department, American Cancer Society, 1626 Locust Street, Phila., PA 19103, Abington Memorial Hospital Foundation, 1200 Old York Road, Abington, PA, 19001