Milford A. Draper, 92, of rural Burlington, passed away early Thursday morning, October 4, 2018, at his home.

Milford was born June 26, 1926, at LeRoy, Kansas, the son of Cary Milford and Fannie Clementine (Tarbell) Draper.  He grew up in LeRoy and graduated from LeRoy High School in 1944, despite leaving a few months early to join the war effort. He served in the U.S. Army guarding prisoners of war in Europe during World War II, and in Texas after the war.

On October 20, 1945, he was married to Dora Violet Tracy at Yates Center, and they would be the parents of two sons.   They moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where Milford worked at the Fairfax General Motors plant as a relief man and repairman. After he retired from GM in 1979, Milford and Dora moved back to Burlington, where they made their home on the family farmstead and both worked at the Kerr-McGee station and store.

Milford was a talented woodworker and made everything from small furniture to unique whirlygigs that he sold at craft fairs.  He had been a member of the Hilltop Baptist Church in Kansas City.   He and Dora loved to travel, and they had been on the board of directors of the El Dorado Caravan Club of campers, which took them to 37 states.  They also spent winters in Florida for 17 years beginning in 1989.

He was preceded in death by Dora, his wife of 67 years; by his sister, Doris Kannarr, and a grandson, Matthew Draper.   Survivors include her sons, Stephen Draper and wife Roaslie of Weir, and Michael Draper and wife Cindy of Burlington;  six grandchildren, Heather Gray, Scott Draper, Robin Haworth, David Draper, Tracy Draper and Autumn Adair;  32 great-grandchildren; numerous great-great-grandchildren; a niece, Joyce Chamberlain of Leavenworth; and many other relatives and friends.

Graveside funeral services, with Military Honors, will be at 1:30 PM on Monday, October 8, 2018, at Stringtown Cemetery.   Memorial contributions to the "Milford Draper Memorial Fund" may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home at PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.