ST. TAMMANY PARISH, LA. 

Obituary for: DRAFFEN, DAVID REID 

Submitted by: Louis Lavedan. 

Source: E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, Covington, La.

Died: Saturday, April 26, 2014

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DRAFFEN, DAVID REID 

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From riding his Harley through the hills of Tennessee to fixing trucks as a 
fleet mechanic, David Reid Draffen touched many lives in his 54 years. 
David was born in Baton Rouge on September 29, 1959. 

He was raised in Harahan by his father and mother, Reid Draffen of Missouri and 
Mary Constance Draffen of Illinois. He graduated from Archbishop Rummel High 
School in 1978. After his graduation at Ranken Technical Institute in St. 
Louis, Mo., David moved home to Louisiana to marry the love of his life, Karen 
Landers Draffen, on May 29, 1982. 
His love for all things motor sports took up the time that was not spent on new 
business endeavors. 

David and Karen enjoyed spending time on the water when he was not working on 
his Snap-on Tool Company, and short-lived auto and plumbing sale businesses. 
During that time, he and Karen built their first and only home in Folsom in 
1985. 

After the birth of his first child, Courtney Draffen Guillen, David opened his 
own mechanic shop in Folsom. In 1989, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor that 
he trumped by surgery and radiation. He served as Folsom alderman and a 
volunteer fireman before the birth of their second child, Jacob Reid Draffen, 
in 1991. David loved cutting grass, riding four wheelers and spending time with 
Jacob in his workshop. As a family, the DraffenŐs enjoyed camping and following 
JacobŐs recreational sports that David coached. The kind hearted man was 
dedicated to giving both of his children a Christian education at Northlake 
Christian School. For 12 years, David was blessed to contract his fleet 
mechanic company to Cleco Power. During his time there, he developed close 
friendships with the men of Cleco. In 2010, David also developed a closer 
friendship with Christ at First Baptist Church Covington. His genuine smile and 
welcoming heart fostered the relationships he found in his Bible study group. 
On May 12, 2012, David was diagnosed with lung cancer. His first goal was to 
give his daughter away at her wedding. He surpassed his goal to fight to reach 
his sonŐs wedding in July 2014. Although he will not physically be there, his 
presence will be. He fought hard for 23 months until God peacefully called him 
home on April 26, 2014. 

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral services 
on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at First Baptist Church of Covington, 16333 Hwy 
1085, Covington, LA 70433 at 11:30 AM with visitation at church on Tuesday 
beginning 9:00 AM. 

Interment will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in memory of David to be 
made to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center

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