Marlon Draper

December 3, 2021 (John) Marlon Draper transitioned from this life to the next suddenly in an accident. Leaving in this life many that mourn his passing, he will be greatly missed by many.

Marlon was born in Cardston, Alberta but was raised and lived the majority of his life in Hill Spring, Alberta. His passion for horses was in his blood, starting out at a very young age training his first pony before he even entered elementary school. Horses, ranching, rodeo, racetracks you name and if it involved horses he had probably tried it at least once and probably did well at it. Marlon trained and worked as a journeyman pipefitter/steamfitter most of his life, while rodeoing on weekends, helping out with 4H equine clubs, showing, helping on the family farm etc. He had a long and fulfilling rodeo career, bull riding, steer wrestling (at least in high school), team roping and saddle bronc riding. Marlon won many championship titles, buckles, saddles and more spanning his lifetime – honestly too many to count. He was a member of many rodeo associations and held different board positions throughout his years.

Marlon helped many youth learn the ropes across many rodeo events, and is fondly remembered by many as being always willing to help the next generation of rodeo competitors. Patience, caring, talented and humble are words that we have heard uttered many times over the last few days regarding Marlon – or ‘one hell of a cowboy/horseman’ amongst other things. He assisted with the Cardston Rodeo School with teaching youth in bronc riding as he had semi-retired, but these young kids drew him out of retirement to join the rodeo circuit again. During his bronc riding retirement he could be found training race horses and attending rodeos and jackpots. Rodeo took him all over North America and even though he hated driving, he enjoyed travelling. Marlon had a way of making friends everywhere he went and always stopped to talk to you if he saw you. Marlon’s home-base was Stirling, Alberta the majority of the last decade but often worked away for weeks at a time.

Marlon was predeceased by his parents Wayne and Marr Draper, brother Ron Draper and sister-in-law Millie Draper. Left to mourn his passing is his sisters Carol Wynder, Marlene (Lou) Delf, and brother Lawrence (Susan) Draper, and sister-in-law Karen Draper. His children Lana (Abe) Caldwell, Amber (Jason) Skoog, and Jory Draper, and grandchildren Jaxon Caldwell, Ty and Alora Skoog along with numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. His rodeo and racetrack families, as well as coworkers and friends will also miss him dearly.

As per his wishes, no funeral will be held immediately but there will be a memorial rodeo to be held in his honour in the coming months and a memorial service will be held in Hill Spring in the spring/summer time. More information will be available soon, there is a memorial Facebook page that the family will update frequently. The family requests in the meantime to honour his memory share stories about his adventures, go ride a horse, swing a rope or just hug your family tight.

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