Boyd E. Draper

 Boyd Ellery Draper passed away peacefully at home on February 8, 2024, at the age of 82, just eleven days after his beloved wife, Gloria. 

 Boyd was born on March 2, 1941 in Emmett, Idaho where he lived his entire life.  He was the third child of six born to Howard and Eva Draper.

 He met the love of his life, Gloria in high school and they were married on August 6, 1960.  Boyd was in the Marine Reserves stationed at Camp Pendleton.  After serving, he and Gloria settled down to raise their three children, Cindy, Shelley and Mike.  He was an avid rock hunter and belonged to a rock hound group where he taught his kids how to spit on a rock, wipe it off and then lick it to see what treasure they had found.  He polished his rocks and made beautiful jewelry that he sold in rock shows in the Treasure Valley. He loved camping and made many trips with friends and family to locations around Idaho including Red Fish Lake and McCall Lake where they camped and taught his kids to water ski.  There are many memories of him cursing as he tried to put up the old canvas tent without much help!  

 He worked his entire 46-year career at Boise Cascade where his father-in-law, Bud Lee hired him and he eventually became Lead Mechanic of the Carrier Shop.  He made many life-long friends at Boise Cascade where they all participated in many events including shooting contests, annual picnics and fire hose competitions.

 He was active in his community and served as Governor of the Loyal Order of the Moose for two years.  

 He was a great papa and spent endless summers camping and teaching his grandkids how to fish, mostly untangling fishing lines and helping put worms on their hooks.

 He built their house in Emmett and he and Gloria spent hours creating a beautiful home for his family.  They had a wonderful yard with koi ponds, gorgeous flowers and enough vegetables to feed the neighborhood.

 He and Gloria spent a lot of time traveling all over the world from Finland to England and Russia and several cruises. They enjoyed traveling and spent a lot of time visiting family all over the country.

 Boyd was in hospice for the last two years struggling with his health but remained strong for his bride of 63 years until the end.  He passed eleven days after Gloria, knowing his time on earth was done once he lost his bride.

 He is preceded in death by his wife Gloria; parents, Howard and Eva Draper; his son Mike Draper; brothers Rex and Kyle Draper, and sister Janet Walker.  He is survived by his sister Lynn Sawyer; brother, Neal Draper; daughters Cindy Merrick (Kent) and Shelley Desind (Scott); grandchildren Amanda McKinney (Justin), Nicole Merrick (Scott), Meghan Randall (Chris), Brandon Merrick, Cameron Desind (Caycee), Kelsey Masaitis (Mike), five great grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.  

 A Memorial Service for Boyd and Gloria will be held on March 16, 2024 at Potter Funeral Chapel in Emmett, Idaho at 2:00 PM with graveside services and reception to follow.

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