James William Draper entered life on February 19, 1946 (Toronto) and departed on September 10, 2025. He was the only child of William Draper (d. 1946) and Hazel Watkins (d. 1995) both of Clinton. Jim attended Brown School and Upper Canada College which he always described as a silly and pretentious sort of place but one that provided an experience which taught him the need for socialism and which gave him a lifetime objection to elitism in all forms. During his youth, summers were spent on the Farm where he found a love of physical work or at summer camps (especially Camp Temagami) where he developed a love of nature and a deep commitment to the earth. Further education included degrees and certificates from the Universities of Toronto (Anthropology), Trinity College (Theology), Manitoba (Con Ed) and Winnipeg (MFT-Aurora).
For reasons that remained mysterious even to him, he was ordained in the Anglican Church and worked in that context for 40 years as an educator, pastor, strategist and counsellor. Work contexts included – Patteson Centre, Kohimarama, Soloman Islands; Dean of Theology, St. John’s College, Winnipeg; Congregational Development Officer, Diocese of New Westminster, Vancouver and BC Lower Mainland; Interim clergy, St. Mark’s and St. Bartholomew’s, Winnipeg; Rector, All Saints’ Church, Winnipeg.
As he approached retirement, however, he experienced a loss of interest in all forms of organized religion. He felt more comfortable in a world full of questions rather than answers. One of his greatest pleasures in retirement was that he no longer had to know or believe anything for sure. On reflection, he would have much preferred a life focused on environmental causes and justice issues. Missed endeavours: stonemason, organic farmer, geographer, photographer, therapist. He spent the last years of his life in self-chosen solitude seeking to clarify the “why” of original life choices, reconstructing the narrative of his life, being and working in the “outside” – gardening, renovating, walking with Maggie (the golden retriever) as well as reading widely, trying to write and raging at neoliberal politicians and rule makers in general.
He may be missed by his partner, Patricia, sons Daniel (Jesse), Christopher and Jeremy (Erika) and granddaughters, Kaia, Mila and Hailey.
Cremation has taken place, no formal service will be held, no marker erected, ashes will be scattered in a convenient river or forest. No donations requested.
The family would like to add to James’ self composed obituary that they will indeed miss this deeply reflective, caring, and thoughtful man.
They would also like to express their appreciation to all the medical and administrative staff involved in Jim’s care over the last several months, including Dr. C. Goodman of the LHSC Oncology Centre; Dr. L. Chapman, Palliative Care, Owen Sound; Dr. J. Wong and Dr. H. Tang of the Chesley Clinic; Amanda Schulman, Dietitian, Owen Sound; and the home care nurses of CarePartners.
Reverend James Draper served as an honorary assistant at the Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd, Winnipeg for several years. Reverend Jim Draper is remembered by the Church of the Good Shepherd in appreciation for his humility as a servant in trusting Christ even in unanswered questions, his love for his family, his love for creation and in loving all individuals in counseling. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
Jim was a crucial figure in the launching of saint benedict’s table in Winnipeg, supporting me in the most crucial way as our church community found its feet and ultimately flourished in the space we shared with All Saints. His friendship, humour, and thoughtfulness were so very important during the years that the both of us worked side by side in that All Saints building.
Pat, I am sorry to read your dear Jim’s obituary. My deepest condolences go to you and your family.
Jim was an imortant part of my Christian journey when I took courses at St. John’s College, University of Manitoba. The Anglican Church and the Church Universal both need more priests/pastors like Jim – open, caring, supportive, an excellent preacher and teacher. May he rest in peace until he rises in glory.
Dear Patricia: You may remember me as one of the students at St John’s College. The first time I saw Jim, I thought he was the janitor. I asked him if he knew where The Rev. Jim Draper was and his reply was “Who’s Asking?”
That began a relationship that developed into friendship and respect for each other. We were miles apart in theology, but that friendship and respect made those issues disappear. He made the time in the college a joy and he challenged me to learn and grow. I will remember Jim for the support he gave me helping me through college, I will remember the conversations, the debates, and the amazing mind he had. Mostly though I will remember his friendship
My prayers are with you at this time. I know he rests in peace.
Patricia and Family
I am a cousin of Jim’s. Cathy Draper. My father was Robert. I have not seen Jim for many years but kind of kept track of him through our mutual uncle Murray.
As you likely remember, when Jim moved back to our area, we tried to get together in Clinton but for many reasons it just didn’t happen. I am very sorry this never occurred.
My brother Paul passed away since then and now Jim. Life is too short.
You have our sincere condolences.
Shared time with Jim at Trinity college, Toronto and much later in Winnipeg. I admired him enormously and appreciated his counsel at various stages of life.
I wish he had been our bishop.
It is a last gift to really hear Jim’s voice in his obituary.
Jim supervised my Pastoral Care placement year of the Centre for Christian Studies program. He was gruff and jaded, tossing out comments like “You can say what you need to say when preaching, because most people really aren’t listening.”
But despite his church-weary persona, his pastoral heart ran deep and strong. I learned from Jim how to move decisively from friendly talk to sacred solemnity, and how people benefit from both. He shared his experience of the processes and existential aspects of death, and modelled how to get the important (care) work done no matter what else is going on.
It seemed to me that Jim loved the people and possibilities of church, and saw the anti-gospel aspects all too clearly. He was a thoughtful and authentically spiritual person from whom I was blessed to learn.
“Don’t let the church crush you.” — Jim
Pat, I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s death. I have lots of good memories of his time at St. John’s College. May his memory be a blessing.
Jim was a very important person in my life and I have thought of him many times in the years since I have seen him. I will be eternally grateful for his compassion and wisdom. I pray he is resting in peace and that you may be comforted in the days to come.
What an amazing obituary. I also remember a very quiet thoughtful sense of humour in Jim.