Monty L. Draper

Montrose “Monty” Lee Draper, age 78, passed away October 29, 2017. Beloved husband for 51 years of Esther Lee Draper of Royal Oak, Michigan. Monty was the original owner of Monty’s Grill on Woodward Avenue in Royal Oak. Born January 6, 1939 in California, Monty was raised in Virginia with special care and love by his mother Lolita and grandmother Edith. After serving in the U.S. Army, Monty settled down in Michigan and eventually worked at Darby’s where he met and married the love of his life, Esther Lee Rennie Draper. Monty and Esther moved to Royal Oak, Michigan where they ran a small diner and had a lunch wagon eventually creating and running the infamous “Monty’s Grill” on Woodward Avenue for more than 10 years. Today, some 35+ years later the restaurant still bears his name and anyone who went to the original “Monty’s Grill” will smile when they hear the name. Monty’s crazy food creations were in part because, in his own words, “I am not a chef, I am a cook, I make food people can eat!” And how true that was! After selling Monty’s Grill, Monty and Esther took some time off, relaxed and went on a trip of a lifetime journey to Israel and the holy lands. Monty then got restless and opened another restaurant “The Red Den” in Warren, but the passion had dwindled and he closed the restaurant in less than two years and “retired”, but not for long. Monty worked for “Cars” in Rochester for many years until his health took a turn and he was forced to retire this time for good. Monty’s job became caring for Esther, which he did fearlessly and with passion, he earned the title “Saint Monty”. Monty was a member of Royal Oak Missionary Church, now “Royal Oak Church”, where he greeted and communed with everyone every Sunday morning. Monty is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years Esther Lee Draper. Having had no biological children, Monty mentored many children throughout the years and was an all-in “Dad” to Dr. Paul Benson, Jessica Newton, Lisa Ralph, Joseph Jacobs, Heidi Swift Smith and Lavonne Pettway. He is further survived by nieces and nephews, Daniel Dutcher (Leigh-Ann), Dwayne Dutcher (Deborah), Melissa Draper Brunner, Brian Schaible (Heidi), John Schaible, Mark Trimper, Sharon Stone (Eric), Cheryl Willingham (Fred) and Tom Dolson; many great and great-great nieces and nephews. Esther specifically wants to acknowledge and thank her wonderful neighbors/her safety net, Paul Taylor and George and Julie Delgado for their constant concern, care and love. “I will miss him always, but ours was an everlasting love.” Esther Lee Draper A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 4, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at Royal Oak Church (ROC), 411 E 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48067. Memorials to the Royal Oak Church College Fund or Michigan Humane Society in Detroit are appreciated.

Monty L. Draper

January 6, 1939 - October 29, 2017