Kenneth J. Draper, Jr., age 79, of Bedford, was called home on Sunday, May 4, 2014, surrounded by his family.

Beloved husband of Carolyn (Tyler) Draper for 54 years. Loving father of Cheryl Pespisa and her husband Robert of Bedford, Karen Doherty and her husband Michael of Westford, and Kimberly Draper of Rockland. Devoted grandfather of Kenneth & Christine Hill, Ryan & Brennan Doherty, and Alex Draper. Dear brother to Richard Draper and his wife Pat of Southborough, and Irene Thomas Morrison of Centerville.

Ken was raised in Lexington, Massachusetts. He attended Lexington High School and Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. He was a member of the Pi Beta Kappa honor society.

After college, Ken followed his father and grandfather into the family business, Draper Printing, of Boston, Massachusetts, working with his brother Dick until retiring in the early 1990's. Ken fell in love and married Carol in 1960, selling his beloved Jaguar to buy their first home in Bedford, where they raised three daughters and were active members of the First Baptist Church in Bedford.

Ken explored many diverse hobbies and interests over the years, including car racing, making wine, and fishing. He was an avid model train enthusiast. He loved working in his yard, taking great pride in his green lawn and the huge cobble stone wall that spanned the length of his back yard, painstakingly build by hand after months of transporting cobblestones in the trunk of his car from the changing streets of an old Boston, and soon to be revitalized into Ken's wall. Ken was the original DIY guy, insisting he could do it all himself, and coining the household phrase, "Daddy can fix everything!" He made sure his daughters learned how to fix things, too. With the patience of a saint, he taught three girls to drive a standard, hosted years of pool parties, and always greeted his daughters with a knowing smile when they asked for help, as youngsters, teenagers, or adults. He was always there and always willing to help. When he ran out of things to do at home, he turned his attentions and toolbox to his second love, Quechee, Vermont. Weekends and summers would find Ken trimming trees, painting the deck, boiling sap down to maple syrup, and washing the huge A-frame windows of his home away from home, with Carol right beside him. He was known to escape some mornings, with his little boat in tow, to do some fishing on the area ponds and rivers. He never brought back many fish, but loved passing the time on the quiet waters. Ken loved music, and was known to play the sousaphone, bagpipes, and trumpet in his high school and college days. He was a long term member of the church choir, gracing most Sunday mornings with his enthusiastic presence in the bass section until he could sing no more. He was also a lifetime member of the Simon W. Robinson Masonic lodge in Lexington. Ken took great pride in his children, sons-in-law, and grandchildren, always quick to share a story of their past or present accomplishments.

Ken's family and friends are invited to attend funeral services at the First Baptist Church of Bedford, 151 Concord Road, Bedford, on Thursday, May 8, at 11:00 A.M. Visitation will be held at Bedford Funeral Home, 167 Great Road, Bedford, on Wednesday, May 7, between 4:00 and 8:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the First Baptist Church of Bedford, 151 Concord Road, Bedford, MA 01730.