Jerry Wesley Roper

Jerry Wesley Roper, devoted and beloved husband, father and grandfather, died unexpectedly Monday December 8, 2014. He was 74 years old. Jerry was born in Burke County, December 25, 1939, to the late John Wesley Roper and Pearl McGalliard Roper. Jerry was a U.S. Marine Corp veteran serving our country during the Bay of Pigs. Jerry made a living as a self-employed pipe welder and has spent the last 12 years enjoying his retirement to the fullest. He was passionate about old cars, especially his Roadrunner, he enjoyed hiking through the South Mountains with his good friend William Watts, he loved Horses and his Farm, he enjoyed his “Breakfast Club” aka “Liars Club” meeting old friends every morning and most importantly Jerry cherished his time with his family especially his grand-children and grand-dog Lucy. Jerry was a hard-working, honest man who was loved by many.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Ann Laura Vallee, Betty Sue Welch, Ruby Irene Roper and Doris Maxine Roper Koehler. Those left to mourn his passing are his adoring wife, Helen Marie Roper with whom he would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 12^th, his children Jeffery Wesley Roper and wife, Wendy, and Shane LaRue Roper and wife, Tammy, his grandchildren, Sydney Marie Roper, Samantha Atchley Roper and Jacob Wesley Roper; his sister Sarah Aleta “Tippy” Doak and her husband, Bill, and brothers-in-law Robert Koehler and James Franklin Smith, all of Morganton.

The funeral will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, December 12th, in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center, with the Rev. Jim Taber officiating.  Military honors will be provided by the Marine Corps League Table Rock Detachment #1197.  Burial will follow at the Roper Family Cemetery, “Memory Place” at the Farm.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home, from 12 to 2 p.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made in his honor to Blessed Hope Fellowship Church, PO Box 575, Morganton, NC 28680.