Marc Draper, 1950-2019
Long-time DDBC member Marc Draper, co-owner of Le Grand Marketing, died Oct. 29 after a brief bout with small cell carcinoma. He had retired at the end of 2018.
A native of Dallas, Tex., he was born on Oct. 19, 1950. His parents, Warren and Doris, moved to Southern California shortly after his birth. He was raised and lived the rest of his life there.
He is survived by his loving wife, Jan, her two children, Brittany and Wes, his half-sister Teresa, and four brothers, Steve, Doug, Geoff, and Warren, Jr., also known as Kevin.
Growing up he loved to play baseball, was an Eagle Scout and worked in the family Drive-In Dairy business from 1966-77.
He served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, joining in 1969 and later joined the California Army National Guard. He remained in service until his retirement from the military in 2011.
He joined the family food brokerage, Le Grand Marketing, in 1984, where he worked with his father and brothers Geoff and Kevin. Focusing on the bakery side of the business at first and then becoming expert at selling deli items, he focused on many retailers and distributors, including Henry’s Marketplace (now Sprouts), Smart & Final, Bristol farms, DPI Specialty Foods, Puratos, and Kradjian Imports. He was known for his attention to customers, his cheerful demeanor and finding the time to help with any problem, big or small. He loved the people in the business and they loved him.
Awarded the Big Cheese with his two brothers in September, 2001, Marc enjoyed his time as a DDBC member and served on many committees over the years, especially helping with the annual National DDBC Seminar. One regret he had was never having served on the Board of Directors.
The happiest, luckiest, greatest day of his life was the day he met his future wife, Jan.
Meeting in June of 2007, they were married in August 2008. They traveled to Europe, went on cruises, enjoyed theater, and both were UCLA Bruin fans.
He was a member at Good Shepherds Presbyterian Church in Los Alamitos for more than 50 years. He served as a deacon, the membership committee, prayer team, and was a Gideon. He had 14 Bibles in his car when he died. He loved spreading the word of the Lord.
Services have been held. Donations in his name may be made to Gideons.org.
