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[unknown newspaper] - Saturday, June 9, 1945

Draper Rites conducted at 5 p.m. Friday

County Surveyor 30 years died Thursday

Funeral services for Robert Pinkney Draper, who has surveyed more Choctaw county land than any other man, were conducted Friday at 5 p.m. at First Baptist church by the pastor, Dr. J.F. Murrell. Burial in Mount Olivet cemetery was in charge of Coffey Funeral home.

"Uncle Bob" Draper, as he was known to most of his friends, died at his home on West Jackson street at 7:55 a.m. Thursday. Although he was 84 years of age and had been in declining health for several years, his death was unexpected by many of his friends.

He was born in Jacksonville, Ala., on March 4, 1861. He married Miss Mary Hannah Johnson, a native of Gordon county, Ala., in Chicotah, Tex. on December 24, 1884. They lived there until 1903, when they moved to Indian Territory and settled in what now is Hugo.

He became Choctaw county's first surveyor the year the Territory received its statehood, holding the office for the next 30 years. Throughout that more than a quarter of a century period he was proud of the fact that there never was a single legal controversy based on one of his surveys.

It was "Uncle Bob" who made the surveys for Choctaw county's first roads, and surveyed the site for the first bridge, which was between Hugo and Grant. He made the surveys for all the official new additions to all towns in the county for the 30 years he held office. He attempted to retire several years before he was successful in getting away from the press of active duties in 1937. But even then he was sought in an advisory capacity many times.

Mr. and Mrs. Draper celebrated their fifty eighth wedding anniversary in 1942 quietly at their home, with the occasion made happy by the presence of each of their living children, with the exception of Robert Draper, who was unable to return from the Canal Zone the occasion.

Mr. Draper is survived by his wife, one daughter, Mrs. Millie Gandy, and four sons, Thomas B. Draper, Ross Draper, Robert W. Draper and Landrum Draper. Surviving grandchildren are Mrs. Ralph Axsom, Misses Doris Dean Draper, Donna Draper, Geanne Draper, Robert Draper, Richard Landrum Draper Jr., and Robert Karrh Draper.

Pallbearers were Cap Duncan, L.C. Cross, Jim Spicer, W.E. Schooler, Lon Ellis and Ralph K. Jenner.

Hugo-1945.txt

Hugo-1945.txt

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