John David Roper

CDR John D. Roper, USN (Retired)

Commander John David Roper, USN (retired), died on Friday, September 1, 2017.  He leaves his wife, Patricia Ann Shaw Roper, his son, J. Chadwick Roper (Melinda), grandson Blake Roper and granddaughter Haven Roper, his daughter Shannon Shaw Roper Jamison (Jeffrey), and granddaughters Bridget and Flannery Jamison.  His two infant children, Shawn and Dawn, preceded him in death as did his older sister Nancy and her husband Paul.

He was born at St. Luke’s Hospital in Springfield, Missouri on February 4, 1937, to F.D. and Helen Roper of Marshfield, Missouri.  He graduated from Marshfield High School in the Class of 1955 and from the University of Missouri in the Class of 1959.  In November 1959, he was commissioned in the United States Navy, and he married Patricia Ann Shaw at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Columbia, Missouri.  They were stationed in Japan, Florida, Guam, California, Maryland, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Tennessee over the course of his Navy career, and he served his country proudly in both war and peace.

In 1979, while still in the service, he earned a Master’s Degree in Education and an Educational Specialist certification from Michigan State University.  After retiring from active duty, he returned to his home state and worked for the Missouri Department of Corrections for 12 years.  Following his second retirement, he delighted in visiting and being visited by his children and grandchildren as much as possible.  His pride and joy in his family were unsurpassed.

A memorial service will be held at Marshfield Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), where he was a life-long although often long-distance member, on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 4 PM. There will be a private interment at Marshfield Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, www.nmcrs.org, or to the charity of your choice.