DONALD ROPER

Donald Pratt Roper, 75, of Newark, Missouri, died August 14, 2022 at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital in Columbia.

Donald was born on September 5, 1946 in Bloomfield, Missouri a son of Hershel Wendell and Bessie Linville Roper. He served his nation in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War entering in June 1966 and was honorably discharged in May 1969. While serving he was a paratrooper with the 101st and 82nd airborne and received the Bronze Star.
He was a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church where he was a Sunday School teacher, the Gideons, was official B & C Scorer and P & Y Scorer, a member of the Archery Hall of Fame and was a Past President of ABBM.

Donald loved his family and was the best husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather to them that he could be.

Those cherishing his memory include his wife, Claudette Ziegler Roper of Newark, Missouri; four sons, James “Scott” Roper and wife, Melanie of Catwissa, Missouri, Casey Allen Roper of Bozeman, Montana, Derek Raymond Roper and wife, Valeree of Hideout, Utah and Dennis Wendell Roper and wife, Jessica of Milford, Kansas.; one daughter, Cindy Hawkins and husband, Brian of Catawissa, Missouri; a brother, Rodney Vaughn Roper of Wappapello, Missouri; three sisters, Sylvetta Groom of Villa Ridge, Missouri, Annetta Barton and husband, Joe of Harvester, Missouri and Rhonda Meloy and husband, Herman of Naylor, Missouri. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Kim (Justin) Sobeck, Amanda (Andy) Zufall, Matthew Perkins, Lauren (Graeme) Bray, Jimmy (Kayla) Kirkwood, Hanna (Caleb) Branson, Christopher Kirkwood and Hayley Rolf; seven great-grandchilden, Cooper, Canton and Cameron Zufall, Jax Sobeck, Daisy and Beau Donald Kirkwood and Piper Branson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hershel and Bessie Roper; a brother, Hershel “Dwayne” Roper; a brother-in-law, Virgil Groom and a great-granddaughter, Sammy Jo Kirkwood.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Newark Missions (The Gathering Place), 102 N. Shelby Street, Newark MO 63458.

Memorial services will be announced at a later date. Visit the funeral home’s website for service updates.

Condolences may be shared at www.marklandyager.com