Terry D. Draper, age 75, of Edison, Nebraska, passed peacefully on July
30, 2022, after a brief battle with cancer. He arrived in this world on
June 9, 1947, born to Donal “Dale” and Viletha (Hougnon) Draper in
Holdrege, Nebraska.
Terry made his home in Edison his entire life. Being an only child, his
neighbors and friends were very important to him. He graduated 8th grade
from Edison Public School, then transferred to Arapahoe High School
where he graduated in 1965. Terry was a standout in athletics and went
on to play football at McCook Junior College, in McCook, Nebraska, where
he graduated in 1967.
Terry married his high school sweetheart, Jeanette Debban on February 5,
1966, in Arapahoe. Terry and Jeanette celebrated 56 years of marriage
this year. To this union two children were born, Jodi and Chad.
Terry spent his life working in agriculture. He farmed near Edison and
Beaver City. He enjoyed feeding cattle and hauling grain. At one time he
had 800 head of sheep, about which many funny stories can be told. He
passed his love for agriculture to his son, Chad and grandson, JD.
Terry treasured his Sunday morning coffee with any friend who stopped by
his famous garage. He also loved Nebraska Cornhusker football, and you
could always count on the Husker game to be on (sometimes only for a
while, depending on the score) at his house. Terry was very proud of his
grandson, Noah Stafursky (#62) who currently plays for the Huskers.
Terry enjoyed his time spent camping, either at the lake or at JD’s
rodeo events throughout his high school and college careers. Terry was
particularly proud of JD’s third-place finish at the 2019 National
Intercollegiate Rodeo Association finals. Terry and Jeanette enjoyed
visiting south Texas for part of the winter the last few years.
Terry lived a life full of family and friends. He loved his
grandchildren and was very proud of their achievements. He will be
fondly remembered as being a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather,
Neighbor and Friend. Even though he was famous for gritting his teeth,
he had a soft heart and was the first to help anyone.
Terry was preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws, Orvin A. and
Twyla Debban. Terry is survived by his wife, Jeanette, of Edison;
daughter, Jodi Draper, of York, Nebraska; son, Chad (Kelly) Draper, of
Oakley, Kansas; granddaughter, Olivia Stafursky and fiancé Jacob
Sattley, of LaVista, Nebraska; grandsons, JD Draper (girlfriend Kinzie
Alexander), of Oakley, and Noah Stafursky (fiancé Maddie Dosek) of
Lincoln; sisters-in-law, Antoinette (Bob) Williams, of Loomis, Nebraska
and Elizabeth Trail, of Holdrege, Nebraska; and brother-in-law, Orvin
Debban, of Holdrege.
Services are pending in Edison. Baalmann Mortuary is handling the
arrangements. For information or condolences visit
www.baalmannmortuary.com