C. Bryce Draper, 70, left this mortal existence October 20, 1996, to join his Father in Heaven and his life long sweetheart Lucy Dawn. He was at home at the time of his passing, surrounded by his family, safe and secure in their love.
Bryce was born on June 22, 1926 in Moroni, Utah a son of William Cloyd and Lola Elnora Christensen Draper. He married Lucy Dawn Brower on August 9, 1946. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Lucy passed away June 21, 1990. Bryce was a faithful member of the LDS church serving in many capacities, his favorite being that of Gospel Doctrine teacher. He served in the US Navy during World War II in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters.Bryce chose education as his profession and received a BS degree in education and a Master of Science degree in education administration from Utah State University. He was a brilliant educator and dedicated public servant. His career as an educator spanned 34 years beginning in Idaho. There he and Lucy ran a two room school where Lucy taught grades 1, 2, 3, and Bryce taught grades 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
His gift for leadership was quickly recognized and he was made Principal of Franklin Junior High School. Seeing the need for a music program at the school, Bryce taught himself to play a musical instrument and then organized a 35 piece band. The band's goal was to play "The Star Spangled Banner" by the year's end. They did. (This endeavor was so successful the School Board was convinced to hire a music director.)
Bryce and Lucy then moved to Richfield, Utah where Bryce was Principal of Ashman Elementary. During this time he built and installed a two-way school sound system in six different schools without compensation. These were a "first" in Utah. Bryce also enjoyed short-wave radio and spent many hours communicating with people all over the world using his call letters, K7MIO. When he discovered a group of youngsters also interested in short-wave radio he started a class to teach them Morse code. These boys were than able to pass the Radio Operator Test for Ham Licenses. Bryce was a Richfield City Councilman. He was very active in the Jaycees, where he earned their Distinguished Service Award for leadership and service. During this time he served as President of th Sevier Elementary Principal's Assoc. and was a member of the Sevier Fish and Game Protection Assoc. These years also saw Bryce as a successful poultryman. He owned and operated a 1,000 chicken poultry farm. The family then moved to Beaver Utah, where Bryce had been hired as Assistant Superintendent, and then two years later he became County School Superintendent.
In 1963, the family moved to Cache County where Bryce remained until his death. He was Cache County School District Superintendent for 19 years, a record in Utah for longevity. Bryce's dedication to the future of the district's children and their success led him to establish an area vocational school at Sky View which later became Bridgerland Applied Technology Center. He also started the Cache Instructional Workshop. He completed the construction of Sky View High School and was the driving force behind the building of Mountain Crest High School, as well as many other school facilities in Cache Valley. In 1971, he was one of only 25 School Administrators in the nation to be invited to tour the educational system of the Soviet Union. He was one of a select group of administrators invited to administrative conferences at many universities including Columbia University and Harvard. He served in various capacities in many organizations including Jaycees, Lions, Rotary Club, National School Board Association, Boy Scouts of America, 34 years in PTA, Cache Chamber of Commerce, and the American Association of School Administrators. He especially enjoyed his association with other Superintendents in the Utah Society of School Superintendents, in which he was the only person ever to become President twice. He was on the Utah Commission for Law and Citizenship, the Utah Textbook Commission, and the Cache County Board of Health. His skill and integrity in administering the public trust was widely known and respected. His energy for, and dedication to, public service was tireless. It has been said of Bryce, "Few have ever done so much for so many people, and survived."
Although Bryce's accomplishments were extraordinary, he was humble man, ever willing to stand in the background an let others shine. He was a tremendous influence for good and many people credit him with guiding them to their life's work.
While Bryce was most well known for his successful career as a school administrator and civic leader, his anchor and best friend Lucy Dawn and their family was his main focus. With his own hands, Bryce built four homes for his family, two in Richfield, one at Bear Lake, and one in Hyde Park. The Bear Lake house was a favorite retreat for Bryce and Lucy where they enjoyed entertaining family and friends, and relaxing. They were a close couple, enjoying each other's company over anyone else's. They loved to dance. In Hyrum, they converted a basement family room into a dance floor and spent many happy hours there together laughing, and dancing. Bryce will long be remembered for his absolute intergrity, his sense of fair play, his compassion for others, and his keen intellect. Wherever Bryce was, the world became a better place. Where he found a need, he filled it. The void left by his passing will never be filled, but our hearts are full when we think of the joyous reunion Bryce and Lucy must be having now. We are sure they are in each other's arms, dancing once again. Dad was a man among men. He will always be our hero, our father, our grandfather, our friend.
He is survived by his children; Mrs. Garry (Susan) Fredrickson, of Hyrum; William E. (Sherrie) Draper, of West Valley City; Mrs. Lynn A. (Darlene) Goodsell, of Newton; and Darrel B. (Trina) Draper, of Smithfield; fourteen grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by four brothers and sisters; Mrs. Sylvan (Maxine) Johnson, Orem; Mrs. Eldon (LuJean) Homer, Sandy; Dr. Paul (Sheryl) Draper, Salt Lake City, and Sheldon (Nancy) Draper, Sandy. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lucy Dawn Brower Draper, a son, Dee Bryce Draper, and his parents.
Funeral services will be held at noon Thursday, October 24, at the Hyrum 10th Ward Chapel, 111 North 400 West, Hyrum Utah. Friends and family may call Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center, Logan, Utah, and from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday at the church. Burial will be in the Hyrum City Cemetery.
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