John Eric Roper, 75, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at home with his family by his side.He was born July 9, 1948, in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and spent his High School years in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. He joined the Navy immediately after High School and retired from the Navy Reserves as Aviation Ordinance Chief Petty Officer Squadron VP-94. He spent years in Rainsville, Alabama, where he was instrumental in establishing Central Church of Christ along with Roper Insurance Agency and Roper’s Hamburgers. After moving to Huntsville, Alabama in 1982, he received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from Athens State University. He worked on US Military Ground Missile Defense Programs with CAS, Inc, Teledyne Brown Engineering, Boeing and recently retired from Davidson Technologies. He was an active member with the First Baptist Church, Guntersville, Alabama, where he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher.
He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Dee Singleton Roper, his daughter Stacy Perry (Greg), his son Eric Roper(Tracy), his bonus daughter Paige Singleton and bonus son Rick Singleton (Cristal). Eight grandchildren: Lindsey Curtis(Bryce), Haylee Singleton, Jordan Singleton, Addy Roper, Bryce Roper, Ashlyn Roper, Spencer Perry (Morgan) and Chase Perry. He had one great grandson: Jackson Roper Whitt. His loving sister; Jackie Rudolph and her children Lisa Smith (Eric), Mark Rudolph (Julie) and Judy Roper (mother of his children).
He was preceded in death by his parents John and Madeline Stovall Roper, Ardmore, Tennessee.
Many have known John Roper in a variety of different roles: daddy, husband, uncle, grandfather, brother and a great friend. The ones who called him Poppy and John-Boy experienced an unbreakable bond of love, honor, devotion and appreciate the significance he has had in their life.
He loved life and his family. His smile and laughter could light up a room and make everyone feel like they were special to him…and they were.
He loved hunting, fishing and cooking an enormous breakfast over the campfire.
He had a love for old movies and the high standards the characters set for men and women.
He loved his country, John Wayne and Alabama football.
He could fix almost anything if he had a big enough roll of Duct Tape.
If you were his friend yesterday, he would be your friend tomorrow. He never changed.
John has spent his life in service to his God and his life was a living example of Ephesians 4:32 – “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”
A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, August 27 at 1:30pm at the First Baptist Church, Guntersville, Alabama. Visitation will begin at 12pm. A military honor guard will conclude graveside services at 3pm at Guntersville City Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Guntersville Memorial Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations made to the Gideons International or Shepard’s Cove Hospice.
He is no longer physically here but he lives on in the heart of so many. Someday we will meet again and we will not be separated by time and place. But until that day we will find comfort in having him securely tucked away in our hearts.
