John Glen Draeger

Funeral service for John Draeger will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 12, 2018 at the First Christian Church of Chelsea. Pastor Richard Billings will officiate. Burial will follow at the Chelsea Cemetery under the direction of the Chelsea Funeral Home & Cremation Service. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Thursday, January 11 from 1pm-8pm, with family receiving visitors from 6pm-8pm.

John passed away on Monday, January 8, 2018 at his home at the age of 78.

The son of Carl and Jennie England Draeger was born at home in Chelsea on December 15, 1939. John spent his entire childhood in Chelsea. He was a member of the graduating class of 1959. A short time after graduating, John followed his dad to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. There he began working at the Hilton Hotel. During the day he would work as a bellman, and at night his band would play for the guest. John was an amazing drummer and vocalist. After a few years in Pittsburg, John again followed his family to Houston. There he would marry and have two children, Deanna and John. For the next several years John stayed in Houston and helped raise his family. As his children became older, John decided to return home to Chelsea. He then took a job at a laundry working in Nowata, and later at Claremore Regional Hospital. A few years later he took a job working as a courier for Claremore Regional Hospital. This was one of his all time favorite jobs. It allowed him the ability to visit many of his friends on a daily basis. He even retired once, but was called back because many of the doctors he helped missed seeing him.

In his spare time John had many past times he enjoyed. He was a true Chelsea Green Dragon fan. He followed all the sports, boys and girls. When it came to the Alumni banquet he made all of them. He loved sports. The Oklahoma Sooners and the Houston Astro's were two of his favorite teams. He was also like a walking encyclopedia when it came to sports facts. He had the ability to recall stats from numerous games played through the years.

John was a one of a kind person. To his friends, he was the guy who brought donuts and other snacks to their office and expected nothing in return. He was also the first guy to offer assistance if you were down on your luck. To his family, he was the voice of encouragement. He also made it a point to attended as many of their school events as possible. John was many things to many people, but one thing for sure is that he will be missed by all.

He is preceded in death by his father Carl; infant brother, Jerry Draeger, and sister, Carlene Draeger York.

Survivors include his mother, Jennie Draeger; children, Deanna Mays and husband Mike, and John Draeger and wife Karen; grandchildren Jaycie and Carson Draeger and Madison and Makenzie Mays; brother, David Draeger and wife Eunice; nieces and nephews, Jennie Bible and husband Tom, Yancy York and husband Richard Williams, and Olivia Castilleja; great nephews, Zach Bible, Andrew Bible, and Phillip Bible and wife Mercedes; great-great nieces Ruby and Jenna Bible, along with many other extended family and friends.

View and sign John's online memorial at www.mmsfuneralhomes.com