Rodney Draper

On August 10, 1970 the world changed and got a little more exciting. Rodney Lee Draper entered the world as the second child to Garland and Kathy Draper. Growing up in a rural community in southern Iowa, Rod grew up loving to drive tractors, bail hay and the small town sense of country living. As an adult, Rod became a valuable asset to the IT team at Nationwide Insurance for 25 years, making many friends along the way. Rod was always a generous person, most of the time doing things quietly, as to not attract any attention for himself but doing it just because it was the right thing to do.

A proud member of the Class of '89 at Mormon Trail High School, Rod's classmates became more like family than school mates. The friendships he made as an ornery kid are still alive and well and deeper than ever. He loved getting together with his buddies and retelling the same tired stories each time they were together and laughing as if they'd never heard them before.

In 1996, Rod married Charity Toomey. Together they built an amazing life together for over 25 years. They welcomed three beautiful daughters into the world. Hailey, Ashley and Sydney were three of his greatest joys and he was so proud of the wonderful girls they became. His life was devoted to protecting and providing for his family and making sure they wanted for nothing.

As a kid, Rod gave his life to the Lord, however as many do, his faith wavered throughout the years. In recent months his faith was restored and renewed and he found great comfort knowing that God was his ultimate source of strength. Throughout this brief illness, Rod relied upon prayer and the reading of God's word to help him through the difficult days. The bible says in Romans 10:13 'For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

Rod is preceded in death by his parents Garland and Kathy Draper, grandfather Bernard Adams, grandmother Shirley Collins. He is survived by his loving wife, Charity (Toomey) Draper of Pleasant Hill, daughters Hailey, Ashley and Sydney Draper, brother Greg (Wanda) Draper of Garden Grove, grandmother Mildred Adams (Blue Springs, Mo) , aunts and uncles and many nieces and nephews and countless friends.

Psalm 34:18 'The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.'

A memorial service to honor Rod will be Saturday, December 4, 2021 at: Woodland Hills Church of Christ, 2484 SE 68th St, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327.

Visitation will be from 9am-10:30am with a service to follow. A light lunch will be provided.

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