Frank Gene Draper

Frank Gene Draper 1940 – 2026 

Our beloved husband, father and grandfather, age 85, passed away August 20, 2026 in Gilbert, Arizona. He was born November 28, 1940 in Provo, Utah, son of Levi Johnson Draper and Golda Fern Cowdell Draper. He married Kathleen Finlayson; later divorced. He married Carmen Padilla on May 19, 1979 in Gardnerville, California. He grew up in Sandy, Utah and graduated from Jordan High School. 

Frank was a dedicated hard working young man. He began working in mining before he was 20 years old. His work took him all over the western United States. He had a tremendous ability to recall the roads he traveled and details about places he visited. He and Carmen, the love of his life, moved to Arizona in 1989. He continued to work diligently in a new business enterprise and a successful real estate career until he retired in 2010. 

He was an avid sportsman. He loved golfing and bowling. He also enjoyed working on cars with his son. He was a perfectionist and strived to do things correctly. He tried to teach his children to do things well even if it meant doing them over again. The same passion was reflected in the work he did on the properties he owned and invested in, and the vehicles he worked on, including his beloved classic El Camino. He could tell good stories even though they were sometimes slightly embellished. 

In his retirement years he loved to read and never stopped learning. He loved Christmas and enjoyed having a beautifully decorated tree in his living room. The world won’t be the same without Frank. He will be missed.

Frank is survived by his wife Carmen; children, Leslie Suzanne (Roger) Fairbanks, Shawn Gene (Lisa) Draper; stepchildren Steve (Patty) Guerrero, Lori Guerrero Mendoza, and Brenda Guerrero; ten grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on September 26, 2026, from 1:00 - 4:00 P.M. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1852 North Stapley Drive, Mesa, Arizona 85203.