It was announced that on September 14, 2015, Gregory Lee Draper passed away in the presence of his loved ones. He spent his final days surrounded by friends and family.Fulfilling a lifelong goal of opening a business in Washington, he
co-founded outdoor product manufacturing company UCO Corporation in 1971, and led the
company until its sale in 2005. UCO is a division of Industrial Revolution, Inc., a Seattle-based
company that manufactures and distributes products enjoyed by outdoor
enthusiasts worldwide.
Born on February 20, 1935, in Bremerton, WA, Draper was a Pacific Northwest native and a renaissance man. Draper is survived by his wife, daughter and grandchildren.
His personality is still felt in the company today. His zest for life and remarkable aptitude for learning made him innately curious about the world he lived in and those he met. These traits are seen in the versatile and unique products that UCO now carries and continues to develop, including products Draper brought to market such as the Original Candle Lantern and the YayLabs! Ice Cream Ball.
“Greg created an amazing company and filled it with wonderful people,” said Keith Jackson, current owner of Industrial Revolution. “As we’ve grown and evolved over the last ten years, Greg has been a cheerleader, endlessly excited to see where his company could go. I will miss him greatly.”
Draper imparted to his family lessons of hard work, core values and a life that knows no limits. He had an incomparable ability to be a friend to many. First and foremost, he was a loving husband and an exceptional father and grandfather. He demonstrated strength, courage and wisdom until the end.
A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, October 23, 1 p.m. at Bellevue Presbyterian Church, 1717 Bellevue Way, NE, Bellevue, WA 98004.
Cascadian born in 1971, UCO (pronounced “you-co”) provides trusted essentials in heat, light, and power that can be used from the backcountry to the backyard. Delivering light where you need it, UCO’s versatile product line includes the Original Candle Lantern, LED Lighting, Stormproof Matches, StakeLights and portable grills.
