Donald “Don” Draves

Donald “Don” Draves was born in Watertown, WI, on March 23, 1948, to LeRoy and Marjorie (nee Meyer) Draves. He is survived by his wife Jean (nee Lemminger) Draves, his daughter Kristen Draves and sister Nancy (nee Draves) Stecky. He is further survived by his sister-in-law Carol (nee Lemminger) Perleberg of Waukesha, and brother-in-law Brion (Nancy Draves) Stecky of Wisconsin Dells, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

After graduating from Watertown High School, Don served four years in the US Navy serving on two ships and a Naval Air Station (’67-’71). After being Honorably discharged, he worked for  Miller Brewing Company as a Corporate Manager heading up several départements retiring after 30 years. He was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and graduated with a BA in Letters and Science. Through Miller he also attended Strategic Planning at Vanderbilt and the Aresty Institute of Executive Education- The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania receiving their Designation of Global Travel Professional.

Don was a member of the Global Business Travel Association serving on their Board of Directors for 3 years and their Political Advisory Council for 3 years. He was a founding member of the Wisconsin Business Travel Association and served as President, Chairman and a variety of positions. Don then launched his own business of Corporate Travel Consulting and at the same time he became the Principal Partner in the Corporate Gold Consulting which they later sold.

Don loved his family deeply and enjoyed his friends. He enjoyed a wide variety of hobbies including golf, hunting, fishing and fly fishing. He was a substitute drummer for the Miller Brews and Reviews rock band and enjoyed playing with his fellow ATF’ers band and of course he loved everything aviation. Because of medical issues he put his logbook on the shelf and hung up his David Clarks, but he remained active on the Board of Directors for the Waukesha Aviation Club and was a longtime member of the Experimental Aircraft Association.

Don was an incredible person, and he will be deeply missed.

Please help us celebrate and honor the beautiful life he lived.

Gathering will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, WI 53072, on Sunday, September 27, 2026, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Military honors to follow.

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