Joseph Harvey Roper

J. Harvey Roper, 81, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma went home to the Lord on August 15, 2010. Harvey was born in Atlanta, Georgia on March 21, 1929. He was the youngest of four children born to Georgia Margaret and Grover Cleveland Roper; all have predeceased him. He moved to his beloved Oklahoma City at the age of 13 where he found two of his lifelong passions church and football. He was baptized, became the youngest elder and later Chairman of the Board of Elders at Crown Heights Christian Church. The second, football, which he watched and analyzed long after his playing days were over. He graduated from Central High School, lettering in both football and baseball. He entered OU in 1947 where he became a member and officer of Pi Kappa Sigma social fraternity and played freshman football. His football career was cut short with injuries but he became a most devoted OU football fan as a result of the relationships he made. Soon after graduation he enlisted in the Air Force where he recruited aviation cadets. He remained active in the USAF until his retirement as major in 1974. In 1954 he began his career in Insurance. First with the Travelers, then as an independent agent and finally as an agent for Indiana Lumberman’s Insurance from which he retired in 1993. Most important to him was his family and he was most proud of his marriage of 52 years to his precious wife, Norma . He is survived by Norma, his two daughters and their husbands, Jeanne and Robert Deptula of Dallas, Texas and Janie and Owen Stewart of Lincoln, Nebraska, two granddaughters, Kristen Deptula and Claire Deptula, and three grandsons, Cameron Deptula, Taylor Stewart and Ryan Stewart, and lastly his beloved Sheltie, Sport. The family will greet guests at Guardian West Funeral Chapel on Thursday, August 19, between 6-8 pm. Services will be held at Putnam City Baptist Church at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 20, 2010. Online condolences can be sent to www.guardianwestfuneralchapel.com.