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BORN
1955
DIED
2016
David Roper Obituary
David Wayne Roper, passed away on March 20, 2016 of cancer. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Meleea Ballard, children, and 11 grandchildren. David and Meleea were sealed for eternity on September 7, 1977 in the Salt Lake Temple. His family meant everything to him, and it was his deepest desire that there be no empty chairs in the family circle in the eternities.
He was born of the most goodly of parents who loved the Lord, and taught and raised him in righteousness. He was greatly blessed by his association with his seven younger brothers and sisters, whom he loved greatly.
He was most grateful for his Heavenly Father's bounteous blessings, His gospel, and all that the Savior has done and made possible for him. He was immensely grateful for all who helped him throughout life, and it was his hope that he was also able to help a few on their pathway in life. He loved the members of the Sioux City Iowa Stake whom he served as stake president. He also dearly loved the leadership of the Church and sustained them with all his heart.
David was preceeded in death by his mother, Lucille, and daughter, Emily. He is survived by his wife, children John (Wendy), Laura (Cody) Andreasen, Mark (Britta), Anne (Tom) Rowley, and Daniel.
A viewing will be held Wednesday, March 23, from 6-8:00pm at Larkin Riverton (3688 W. 12600 South) and on Thursday, March 24, from 11:30am-12:30pm at the South Jordan Parkway Stake Center (9894 S. 2700 West).
The funeral will be held on Thursday, March 24, at 1:00pm at the South Jordan Parkway Stake Center (9894 S. 2700 West).
In lieu of flowers, please assist someone in need.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for David Roper
Anthony Lorenzo
June 28, 2025
We've never met him personally but but we enjoy his fine and inspiring literature. My wife and I offer you condolences and wish you that peace of God that surpasses all understanding. He rests in peace.
Carolyn
February 18, 2025
I miss you. You are a great person.
Ryo Takahashi
December 4, 2021
I just found that Brother David Roper passed away.
Brother Roper invited me to his home on Feb25,2001.
Sister Loura gave me very special gift from her grand mother of Ballard. I knew Loura is very special and having deep love. Hope Laura I think you for your love. A few weeks ago our daughter asked me where this special gift came from. I want you to know I love you and you were listeing to my life story. Hope we will talk again. I pray for all Roper family.
Carma Handy
May 17, 2019
Maleea I was so sad to read tonight about Davids passing. I have been looking for years for a way to reconnect with you and learned of his passing. Please feel of the love that Keith and I have for you and your family.
Jay Larkin
October 2, 2018
Meleea - You may not remember me, but I will never forget you and your family. We knew you in the Sioux Falls Stake and I sat next to David on the High Council. This message comes to you via a circuitous route (indeed, I hope it gets to you!) Not having previously heard of David's passing, but having his church email address from previous contact, I reached out to him to offer condolences at the passing of your mom, Sister Ballard. The email was returned as undeliverable which seemed odd. After much searching, it was only this morning I learned of David's passing some time ago. Let me now offer belated condolences at David's passing and additional condolences at the passing of your mom. Regardless of the age of one's passing or the successes/challenges they've had, it still leaves a giant hole in our hearts. While one can seldom find the right things to say at times like this, sometimes the knowledge that others think of you and pray for you can be consoling. You're in our hearts and thoughts and prayers. I've also just learned that we may live near each other, as we've recently relocated to Daybreak. I'd love to connect with you - even if only to offer condolences in person. God bless.
Kay Klc Burgoyne
August 3, 2016
Meleea, I am so, so sorry. I just learned tonight of your husbands passing. I so much want to give you a hug. I am in SLC until the 15th of August. I will try to reach you. Please email me if you get this message. I love you Meleea. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kirk Francis
April 20, 2016
To the family of Bro. Roper, we want to extend our deepest condolences after just learning of his passing. As others have commented, he was instrumental in our training as senior missionaries involved with self reliance efforts. But much more, we were humbled by his meekness and genuine love and interest in us, in our success in and love for serving the Lord. He too, played a role in our assignment to the Dominican Republic, a place where we know the Lord wanted us at this time. Words fail as we are saddened at this loss, but may God's blessings attend you always until that great day when you are again reunited with your loved one.
Elder and Sister A. Kirk Francis
Vickie Glauser
April 3, 2016
We are saddened to hear of Brother Roper's passing. He facilitated our training as missionaries in August 2014; we knew he was full of faith. He gracefully answered all our questions and put our minds at ease. We know the Lord will comfort his family.
Cynthia Rhoades
April 3, 2016
So sorry to hear about Bro. Roper's passing. We visited with him prior to our calling to serve in Cusco, Peru as self-reliance missionaries. It was our understanding that on his recommendation we were assigned to that area. It was a dream come true for us to serve there and we felt the love of the Lord through this calling. We hope his family will feel the Lord's love at this time as well.
April 3, 2016
We knew David briefly as we were called to the England Manchester Mission for Self-Reliance in 2014. David was very kind to us and we knew him as a very good man and a kind and gentle soul. We are shocked at his passing. The Lord must have a calling for him important enough for him to be called at such a young age.
We offer our condolences to his wife and family.
Michael & Vicki Lee
David Kimberling
April 2, 2016
We are David and Gae Kimberling and served a senior mission in the senior missionary department. We dealt frequently with David as seniors were recommended and called to serve missions. We love his humor and appreciate his friendship. We are sorry to hear of his passing. We shared with him a favorite home made licorice recipe.
Mike Anderson
April 1, 2016
I remember bro. Roper being assigned to the Vermillion Branch as our high Council representative from the Sioux Falls Stake. He had to drive soooo many miles on Sundays. I was so impressed with his dedication. I have tried to follow his example in my church callings.
Steve Peterson
March 28, 2016
Dear Meleea, I was saddened to hear of David's passing. We worked together in the missionary department when I first started working there. He was a great help on many projects, and eventually we became great friends. Because I served in Hawaii, we had a common connection with you two and your love for those islands. David was always checking the airfare and letting me know when there were good flights available. You and your family have been in our thoughts and prayers, and we pray that the comfort and eventual peace that can only come from the Savior will be yours in great abundance.
David and Nancy Gardner
March 27, 2016
Dear Meleea and family, We send our love to each of you. We have fond memories of the time that we spent together in the Sioux Falls South Dakota Stake more than 20 years ago. As the stake president, I was blessed to have you and your family move into our stake back then. You and your family were a great addition to our stake. You and David were always so loving and gracious to us and to all of the members of the stake after you moved into the stake. Then when David was called to the stake high council, we spent many enjoyable times together. Later, when David was called as stake president of the Sioux Falls Stake, we spent many more enjoyable times together. When our son, Paul, was released from his mission we drove to your home in LeMars and you graciously welcomed us into your home, so that David could release Paul from his mission. After the Sioux Falls Stake was split and the Sioux City Iowa Stake was created, we did not get to see you as often, but we cherish all of our memories with you and your family. May the Lord bless you and your family, Meleea.
Angela Allred
March 25, 2016
Meleea, I don't know if you remember me, but I worked with David in the Missionary Department for several years and he always made me laugh so hard. I loved his quirkiness; he was such a good sport about me teasing him all the time about things like his need to have things at perfect right angles on his desk. I used to go and turn his piles of paper slightly just to mess with him. : ) I even shot him in the chest with a rubber band once and he just smiled and brought it back to me. So patient and kind! He was a good listener too, and helped me talk through things. I haven't seen him for years, but I consider him a true friend, and I don't feel that way about a lot of people. I hope he's having a nice time up in heaven. He's one of the best men I have ever known. ~Angela Allred
Karen Bludorn
March 25, 2016
Maleea, I am so sorry.
His honor, compassion and empathy are legendary and blessed me personally from high school to the present.
He was also beloved as the President of the Sioux Falls, South Dakota Stake.
Kevin Luke
March 25, 2016
My acquaintance with David was limited to brief conversation and association on bus and train commutes to and from work. But I'm thankful to have experienced his light, his kindness, his personable and friendly nature. I can see he blessed many lives, including mere acquaintences. My deepest sympathy to his family, and my prayers are with you.
March 24, 2016
Meleea..I am so soeey to hear this evening of the passing of your Husband. My the Lord comfort and bless you and your family at this time! Marilyn Ford Latteier
March 24, 2016
Dear Meleea,
David and I worked next to each other in the Missionary Department for years and developed a wonderful friendship. He has introduced me to much in his world and his sense of humor and caring for others was often noted. He would assist others around him with issues he could reslove. We often talked by telephone of dreams and the future. My heart goes out to you Meleea and children. May the Lords blessings remain with you always. We love the David Roper family!
Ed & Sherie Seegmiller
March 24, 2016
I have fond memories serving with David in the Sioux City Stake and also as his Bishop in the Sioux City 1st Ward. He was a truly spiritual man and he loved serving the Lord. He will be missed.
We also have fond memories of the family. Kay and I want the family to know how sorry we are for the loss of David and that hearts and prayers are with Meleea and the family.
Kent and Kay Radford
Randy and Mary Campbell
March 23, 2016
David Roper was our stake president in the Sioux Falls South Dakota and the Sioux City Iowa stakes when he and his family lived in LeMars, Iowa ("ice cream capital of the world") and worked at Blue Bunny.
Every year since then he has remembered and wished each of us a happy birthday.
He is a special friend. Our hearts are full of gratitude for him and we pray for all who will miss their close associations with him, especially his dear family.
Lee Donaldson
March 23, 2016
David was one of the kindest and most caring people that I've known. We often talked about his time in the Midwest and compared notes. We'll miss you David.
Craig Hill
March 23, 2016
David was a true friend and man without guile. I will miss him greatly. We often spoke of missions we would serve as senior missionaries. I have no doubt that he is serving his mission now among his beloved Spaniards in the spirit world. Our love and deepest sympathy to Maleea and family.
Elder and Sister Craig Hill, Guatemala City.
Michael Yates
March 23, 2016
Dear Roper Family,
You will not know me as I grew up in the same Ward as David, the Kenwood Second. Everyone should have the experience of growing up in a Ward such as Kenwood Second as it was easy learning about the Savior because of the people. The Roper Family was a joy to associate with. My first experience with David was a Chess Tournament at Evergreen Jr. High. At the time I was living in Taylorsville, Utah, but traveled with my school to play Chess at Evergreen. I was lucky to be able to play chess with David ( I don't remember who won, most likely he did), I do remember what a nice guy he was. Two years latter my family moved into his Ward, and I remembered him because of his great personality. I don't have many memories of school with him as I am a year older, but enjoyed our association with him in the Ward. I always knew he would Champion Life the way he did.
May our Heavenly Father's Spirit shower you at this time.
Michael Yates
Linda Fry
March 23, 2016
Dear Roper Family,
I had the wonderful blessing of working with David at Church Headquarters. His kindness and light brightened my days. I will truly miss his interactions and cheerful smile. I admire his Christ-like love for everyone and his example as a servant of Jesus Christ. I am sure there was a wonderful reunion as he returned home to heaven. May the Lord's loving arms enfold all of you during this time of transition.
Sister Linda Fry
March 23, 2016
Dear Roper Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with David and appreciated his wry sense of humor and his attention to detail. You are in my prayers.
Maria Jones
Allen Leigh
March 23, 2016
With sadness I learned of the death of David Roper. My condolences to his family. I was honored to be a neighbor of them and to be their home teacher for several years.
Steve Craven
March 23, 2016
David and I met when we moved to the east bench and started playing trumpet in 4th grade. His home was on the way to junior high and I would often stop there to pick him up on the way, and play around on the marimbas while waiting. I remember spending a halloween there and helping with the spook house in the basement. He was always kind and gentle, and a good friend. My sincere condolences to his family. The music will be just that little bit better in the kingdom with David there.
Melanie Johnson
March 22, 2016
My deepest condolences to the Roper family. So sorry for the loss of your father. I am praying that the Lord's comfort will find you as you grieve this great loss.
Ramsey Family
March 22, 2016
We wish the Roper family our condolences at this time of your loss.
Justin Hansen
March 22, 2016
David is a remarkable soul. He exudes light, purity and kindness. His co-workers indeed truly miss that light and goodness, but share, as he did, the confidence of a future reunion. We send all of our gratitude to his family and friends for sharing him with us, and send our heartfelt regrets at his passing.
Stacy Harrop
March 22, 2016
David is very loved and missed by his co-workers. I am grateful for his Christ-like kindness and influence on my life. I wish peace and comfort at this time and always to his family and friends who love and miss him dearly.
March 22, 2016
Dave is our brother in law, and this obituary is most humble. We could go on forever about the many things he did to bless our family and everyone he came in contact with. Any stranger on the street would become his friend. One of his incredible traits is his sense of humor, and the timing of it. You couldn't be in his presence for more than 30 seconds without your ribs hurting from laughter. He had the most amazing wit of anyone we've ever known. We will miss that tremendously and are so grateful that he takes his sense of humor with him! It makes us so grateful to know that we can someday (if we live a life even close to Dave's) we can be with him again. We dearly love him and will miss him so deeply.
Love, Tammy and Brad
(Mo)
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