Bruce Austin Draper

October 11, 1940 - February 7, 2016

Bruce Austin Draper, 75, of Logan Utah, passed away at Sunshine Terrace on Sunday, February 7, 2016. He was born in Ames, Iowa the eldest son of Carroll I. Draper and Wilma Austin Draper on Oct 11, 1940. As a child he lived in Iowa, Washington, Hawaii and Utah. In his youth he was active in 4-H, raising turkeys. He won a trip to Denver sponsored by the Utah Turkey Growers. Bruce graduated from South Cache High School and Utah State University majoring in Education. He taught mathematics at Central Jr. High and Eagle Rock Jr. High in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Upon retiring from teaching, he worked at Mountain Farms and Gossners Cheese Factory. He was married to JoAnn Thomas and adopted her son Christopher Draper. Bruce and JoAnn were later divorced. In 1997, he married KayeLene McMurdie. Bruce was always busy serving others. He served in many LDS church callings including an LDS mission to Scotland, High Priest Group Leader, Executive Secretary, and Gospel Doctrine Teacher as well as a worker in the Logan LDS Temple. Bruce loved to teach and volunteered at the Cache County Jail teaching math. He also taught at the English Learning Center, Bridgerland Literacy, American West Heritage Center and also worked as a Hospice Volunteer. He was an avid gardener, sharing his harvest with neighbors and the local food pantry. Bruce loved bird watching and keeping his favorite cat away from the feeder. Jigsaw puzzles, wire puzzles, telling jokes, singing, and making others laugh kept him happy. He was preceded in death by his parents and his step-mother Glenna Draper. Survivors include his wife KayeLene, and her children, Dawn Wilson, Gary Ferrier, and Rob Greenlee, 7 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Kathleen Noble, Stuart (Vickie) Draper, Howard Draper, Ross (Karla) Draper, James (Shelia) Draper, Michael Draper, Kristine (Jon) Howell, Scott (Kate) Draper, Kathryn (Dennis) Welker, Steve (Karren) Mitchell, Janet (Jerry) Larson, Peggy Neuber, and Karen (Allan) Loyborg. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 12, 2016 at 12 noon in the Logan River 4th Ward, 993 West 1000 South, Logan. Friends may call Thursday evening at Nelson Funeral Home, 162 East 400 North, Logan from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Friday at the church from 10:30 to 11: 30 a.m. Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com.