Jim Draplin
My dad.
Each time I got down this road writing about Dad, it works me over and in no time I’m blubbering pile of meat. Instead of missing him, I spend my time remembering him. And how fun, hilarious, clever, caring, mischievous and warm he was. That lifts me up. I’m just thankful I had the dad I had. And even though we are saving a ton on groceries after his demise, I sure do wish he’d come back.
Name:
James Patrick Draplin.
Saving a Ton on Groceries:
February 1, 1943 – October 13, 2013.
Nicknames:
“Jimmy,” “Tinus” and “Papa” to little Oliver.
Birthplace:
Detroit, Mich.
Current Town:
The Great Beyond.
Would Like To Live In:
There was talk of moving out to Portland, to be close to Oliver.
Favorite food:
London broil.
Favorite Movie:
Animal House, Shawshank Redemption.
Favorite Book:
“I’ve been trying to finish
The Robe since 1968.”
Favorite Band:
Gary U.S. Bonds.
Favorite Memory as a Kid:
”Did I ever tell you the about the bird?” A bird that took money out of the hand of the owner, and gave it to the paper boy. Detroit, early ’50s.
Relationship to Aaron:
My Dad.
Dad’s Obituary
Written on October 15, 2013
I wrote Dad’s obituary a couple days after he died with the help of Mom, Sarah and Leah. Oddly enough, it was fun as hell to write, because these were celebratory words.
Dad used to say, “Each morning I get up and check obituary section in the paper to see if my name is in there?” We’d all laugh that same Dad joke laugh built into all of us and he’s add, “And who knew people died in alphabetical order? Wow.”
Come back, Dad.
How do you pack the beautiful, funny, wild, caring, compassionate, creative, loud, loving, laughing, happy life of James Patrick Draplin into this little space? It doesn’t do the man justice. Our dad is bigger than this little screen in so many ways.
James Patrick Draplin came into this world on February 1, 1943 and made a First Class exit on October the 13, 2013. Son to Joseph and Josephine; Brother to Robert (Christine, dec.) and Thomas (Barbara). Husband of 43 years to our beautiful mom, Lauren. Dad to Aaron, Sarah, Emily (dec.) and Leah. Uncle to many. Honorary dad to Pat, Mary, Mike, Terry, Kevin, Melodie, Christine, Leigh and Jacob. Honorary grandpa to Jordan, Shelby and Jake. The proud, beaming Papa to the light of his life, our little Oliver James.
Friend to EVERYONE. You, too.
Jim sold tools for a living, played Santa for kids, schools, companies and hospice to the point where he reached the upper echelon and played the downtown Traverse City gig, junked the finest of second hand stores, cut his “killer pizza” with gigantic scissors, rooted for the ’Wings, Wolverines, Tigers and even the Lions, built wooden toys for children, shared an EXTENSIVE catalog of jokes, gave out free beer chips at the Cedar Polka Fest, loved his old cars, always had a hundred beers in the ’fridge, abused “senior coffee” discounts for the last thirty years, gave wrong directions to fudgies at the Cherry Festival, foraged for Petoskey stones, never quite figured out his damn cellphone, decorated elaborate wedding cakes, built beautiful “stuff birdhouses,” displayed masterful “Moby Kowalski” diving techniques, mooned friends and family often, had a beautiful wit, slathered wood glue on everything, grabbed enough mints to fill his pocket, held and kissed all the babies, could bullshit with the best of them, knew how to ferret out a good deal, donated to those in need, traveled with and to see his children, collected a little bit of everything and hated paying for taxes, parking, gas and ice.
Jim will be missed by everyone. Please join us in celebrating his life. Memorial services will be held Saturday, October 26, at 11 a.m., at St. Francis Church in Traverse City, where the family will receive friends for one hour prior. Additional laughs and memories can be shared starting at 1pm at the Traverse City VFW Hall on Veteran’s Drive.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Oliver James Ashley College Savings Account at any Chase bank.
Leave a comment, memory or retelling of a joke Dad told at jimdraplin.com.
Santa Jim
Dad used to play Santa for supermarkets, churches, corporate event and the the big “ringing in the Christmas season” gig for downtown Traverse City! “Aaron, some kids don’t have a good Christmas, so I do this to help them.” All the proceeds were donated.
Here’s a few choice nuggets from Dad “getting into character” before his big gig at C Foods in Central Lake.
Lotsa hair.
Wait, Santa’s sleigh was a shitty Mercury station wagon?
The Day Dad Died
October 12, 2013
In the works.
