B. Gen. John D. Roper

Brigadier General John Denman Roper, USAFR (Ret.) passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 5, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth E. and Winston R. Roper, along with his sister Ettabelle R. Gross and brother, Winston R. Roper Jr. He is survived by his wife Bettye J. (Burney) Roper, daughter, Diane and husband Andrew “Bud” Hudson; son, Carter and wife Lisa Roper, Craig Roper and girlfriend Monique Halandras. He is also survived by grandchildren, Lori and husband Aaron Aungst, Lacy and husband James Gregory, Trey Roper and wife Chelsea, Samantha Roper, Megan and husband Daniel Arnold and Colin Roper along with eight great grandchildren, Andrew, Ashley and A.J. Aungst and Aidan, Rylan, Addison and Emersyn Gregory, and Brooklynn Hernandez.

John Denman was an Eagle Scout who graduated from Houston’s Austin High School. While attending Austin he served as a Company Commander in the R.O. T. C. After graduation at age 16, he and eight other Austin classmates entered Texas A & M University. After completing two semesters he volunteered for the USMC where he served as an enlisted person in the Asiatic Pacific and in occupation of China. Later, he returned to TAMU and upon graduation was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the USAFR.

After graduation, he was employed by several engineering firms before assuming a position with Ethyl Corporation, where he later retired as the Manager of Maintenance and Services at the Houston Plant. During this time he also obtained a second degree from the University of Houston and became a registered Professional Engineer. He was active in many professional and military organizations including the International Maintenance Institute, where he served as President. An avid golfer, John was a long time member and supporter of Golfcrest Country Club, where he served in many leadership positions, including President. He was also a long time member of Cokesbury United Methodist Church.

In his Air Force military career General Roper served in several assignments before being selected as the commander of the 925th Civil Engineering Flight, where while as commander, the unit was selected as the outstanding non-flying unit in the Air Force Reserve. The unit was also the first of the type to be selected for an overseas training deployment. Later, he was selected as commander of the Air Force Reserve’s only heavy duty construction squadron, the 307th CES, “RED HORSE”, which had locations at Kelly AFB, TX and Barksdale AFB, LA. After this unit was selected as outstanding unit of the year, he was assigned as Mobilization Assistant to the DCS for the Air Force’s Technical Training and promoted to Brigadier General.

John’s favorite expression was: “Time Passes and Memories Fade”.

The family will receive friends on Monday, March 13, 2017 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Forest Park East Funeral Home, 21620 Gulf Freeway, Webster, TX 77598. A service will be held Monday, March 13, 2017 at 12:30 p.m. at Forest Park East Funeral Home with interment to follow at Forest Park East Cemetery.