James E. Draper, age 92, a resident of Windsor Park Manor in Carol Stream, died Sunday, December 13, 2015. He was born on March 15, 1923 in Flint, Michigan to Edwin Lee and Georgia Draper.

He graduated from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago in the Music and Pastor courses, where he worked at WMBI. While there he met Dolores Erickson and they were married on September 15, 1945. He also earned a Bachelor of Theology degree from Burton Seminary. Jim continued to work at WMBI (later becoming director there) until 1947 when he accepted the position of Assistant Pastor and Music Director at the Church of the Open Door in Philadelphia and Dolores served as organist.

Several years later Jim and Dolores were called to the Hawthorne Gospel Church in New Jersey and in 1951 they moved to Racine, Wisconsin to again serve as Assistant Pastor, Music Director, and organist. Four years later he accepted a call to work with Dr. M.R. DeHaan at the Radio Bible Class in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The family then moved to Wheaton, Illinois in 1962 when he became Director of the Alumni Association at Moody Bible Institute and later the Director of Broadcasting.

For several years he was Founder and President of a radio time-buying agency and recording studio, Broadcasters Associates. He joined the Wheaton Bible Church in various capacities and until his retirement he served as the Associate Minister to Seniors at the Wheaton Bible Church.

Throughout his long career in the ministry, Jim conducted countless weddings, baptisms, and funerals and was a tireless and devoted visitor to the sick in hospitals and homes.

He is survived by a son, James (Janna) Draper Jr. of Geneva, Illinois, a daughter, Melody (Alan) Curtis of Pinehurst, North Carolina; four grandsons, Dr. Jesse (Natalie) Draper, Rev. Jason (Jaimee) Draper, Matt (Cindy) Curtis, Ryan Curtis, and five great-grandchildren, Jakob Draper, Harley Draper, Jaylin Draper, Jack Draper, and Wesley Draper. He is also survived by sister-in-law June (John) Homes, a brother-in-law Ted (Karen) Erickson, sister-in-law Lois (Robert) Draper and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Dolores, his sister-in law Darlene Smolen, and his brother, Robert.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Wheaton Bible Church , Moody Bible Institute , or Windsor Park Benevolent Fund.