Tony F. Draper's Obituary
Tony F. Draper, age 54, met his Lord and Savior on Thursday, December 2, 2021. He was blessed into this world on December 6, 1966, to Leland and Linda (Tallie) Draper Jr. in Muskegon, MI. In his earlier years, while living in Chicago, both Tony and his brothers, Leland and Darian, took to boxing and fought for 10 years. Tony was an intelligent adolescent, while attending Van Vlissingen Elementary School he was transported to public schools for advanced classes. He continued his education at Muskegon High School “Big Red” graduate class of 1985. Tony was quite the athlete and excelled in track, football, and basketball. Upon graduation, he joined the Marine Corp Reserve, where he excelled to platoon guide and graduated at the top of his class. He continued his education at Lansing Community College where he earned his Associates Degree focusing on Criminal Justice. He became a Corrections Officer working for Huron Valley Men Correctional Facility in Ypsilanti, MI for numerous years. Tony was also an entrepreneur, starting his own business called Blas 4 Me Entertainment. There he was able to follow his passion for making and producing music. He was a gifted man in all aspects including being an advocate of reading and researching. He had an appreciation for knowledge, and you could usually find him reading books such as the “48 Laws of Power”. To some Tony was known as being a laid back and quiet man, who enjoyed observing the room. But to his family and friends, he was a jokester, the life of the party, a man who loved to dance and could fill a room with laughter and love. His tender-loving spirit will truly be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his 9 children, Tony Draper Jr., Desmond (Ta’Moni Allen) Draper, Char’Kwanda Draper, Desirae Draper, Tazsa Toney, Ta’Karri Churchwell, Rashad (Jonise Lemons) Draper, Leticia (Will Fletcher) Draper and Justus Draper; mother, Linda Draper; father, Leland Draper Jr.; 8 grandchildren; siblings, Rodney (Rose) Henderson, Leland Draper III, Darian (Tamika) Draper, De’Lisa (Ronald) DuPree, Ed Johnson; Leland-Artez Synder and Crystal Synder; favorite nephew “honorable son”, Darian Draper Jr.; maternal aunts and uncles, Jeanette Brown, Pat Ray, Esther (Andre Sheppard) Archie, Brenda (Ray Totten) Brown, Lucious Kennedy, Joseph Kennedy; paternal aunts and uncles, John (Denise) Draper, Lexora Draper-Lester, Arthur James deceased (Olivia) Draper, twins Veria (Bobby deceased) Payton and Varia (Franklin deceased) Campbell, Noble (Rosie) Draper, Billy (Joanne) Draper, Jim Draper, Brenda (Howard deceased) Edward, and twins Terry (Sherry) Draper and Erry Draper and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was welcomed into heaven by his brother, Danny Potts; maternal grandmother, Esther (Joe) Kennedy; maternal grandfather, Rufus Tallie; maternal uncles, JT Kenneth Archie, Thomas Brown and Zachary Kennedy; paternal grandparents, Leland (Lucile) Draper Sr; paternal aunt and uncles, Osby Lester, James Draper, Bobby Payton, Franklin Campbell, Ruthie Mae (Peter) Abraham, Howard Edward and Donald Draper; and good friend, Greg Jackson. A Funeral Service will be held at 3:00 PM on Friday, December 10, 2021 at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444. A Visitation will be held from 12:00-2:00 PM on Thursday, December 9, 2021 and one-hour prior to the services at The Lee Chapel. The re-past will follow the services at 465 W. Broadway Ave., Muskegon Heights, Mi 49444. Please share memories with the family at www.sytsemafh.com.
A live Zoom Homegoing for Tony Draper will be available the day of the service. Please use the link listed and the following Passcode: 261175
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86331249736?pwd=VXNxVWxoY0hnbEZVQSttWG9ROExyUT09
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