Dimitri Eduardo Draffen

Dimitri Eduardo Draffen, born November 11, 1962 in Kansas City, KS to Melba Draffen-Potts and Gene L. Buie Sr.  He was preceded in death by his father Gene L. Buie Sr., his paternal and maternal grandparents, his stepfather, Albert Potts, his father-in-law Herbert Miller Sr, his sister Janee Jones and daughter Leslie Ann Draffen.

He attended Van Horn High School graduating in 1981.  He worked at Worlds of Fun part time for a while then later worked part time at Edcor Safety in the evenings while finishing school. He attended community college to obtain accounting degree. Once he graduated he became employed full time with Edcor Safety as Bookkeeper.  The company expanded and changed the name to Certified Safety where he became Production Manager until retiring due to health conditions in September 2014. 

In his early 20’s he became a member of Palestine Missionary Baptist church where he gave his life to Jesus Christ. He served for several years in the ministry under Pastor Earl Abel.  When his father, who was also a member of Palestine, left and started Covenant Missionary Baptist church in 1987 he followed and became a member.  He was appointed as deacon and served faithfully in the ministry for several years and enjoyed serving as the Canvassing committee leader, before accepting the call to preach.  He was united in holy matrimony to his wife, Ramona Draffen on April 16, 1989. To this blended family were five beautiful children, Joseph, Leslie, Gevante, Nichole and Charisma then born to this union were James and Jonathan.  He was ordained in November 1998 and began to preach God’s word continuing to serve in the ministry.   In May 2018 he united with Grace Baptist Church of Greater KC, Pastor Aaron E. Lavender.  He became one of the married couples Sunday school teachers along with his wife and worked on the Outreach team. He enjoyed sharing God’s word and serving in the ministry.  He was a loyal KC Chiefs fan and was so excited to not just experience them going, but winning the Super Bowl!!

He had so many plans and dreams of traveling, writing a book, going into full time ministry and so much more.  However, his health condition hindered him from accomplishing some of those goals.  Yet, he was determined to receive his healing, he kept the faith believing that in 2020 he would receive his 2nd kidney transplant and be able to move forward with his plans.  His lifelong passion was to preach and teach God’s word consistently and to reach lost souls.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 31 years Ramona Draffen, his mother Melba Potts, mother-in-law Elizabeth Miller, sons; Joseph Love (Tameika), Gevante Anderson, James Draffen(Martina), Jonathan Draffen(Maia), daughters; Nichole Draffen, Charisma Thomas(Lanell), sisters; Marla Washington, Lisa Powell, Loreatha Sanders(Ernest),  brothers; Gene Buie Jr., Marlon Buie, Eric Potts, Vincent Potts, Jason Potts, brother in-laws Herbert Miller Jr and David Miller(Lawanya) a host of grandbabies, great grandbabies, nieces, nephews and family and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dimitri Eduardo Draffen, please visit our floral store.