David Lesle "Les" Roper

ROPER David Leslie 'Les' Roper, 82, died November 14, 2010 in New Braunfels, Texas. Les was born May 31, 1928 to parents: Delia Meyers Roper and Farland George Roper and was raised in Kingsville, Texas. Les married Mae Kahanek on January 18, 1946. They started their life together moving around West Texas where Les worked in the oil fields. They eventually moved back to South Texas and lived in Taft, Texas for many years. Les worked at Champlin's Corpus Christi Refinery (now CITGO) until retirement in 1981, and after retirement held a variety of positions; ranch management in Sanderson, race track management in Brady, exotic game ranch management in Bracketville, management of recreational vehicle parks in Uvalde and Rivera, trolley driver at Tanger Outlet Mall in San Marcos, and golf course Marshal at the Flying L Golf Course in Bandera. During his years in Taft, Les was an active and faithful worker in the First Baptist Church of Taft, where he taught Sunday school for high school students, and was known for chaperoning youth group trips that included camping and the annual trip to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. Les was a cowboy, and participated in and supported his children in the sport of rodeo. He was an officer in the Texas Youth Rodeo Association, and announced many TYRA events across the state. His reputation as a cowboy, and his ranching contacts, in west Texas led to roles in western movies in his later years; one such event was a part in the television movie Lonesome Dove.Les is survived by the love of his life and partner of 64 years, Mae Roper; a daughter, Roxie Kenerson (Ken); a son, Scott Roper (Cynthia); a granddaughter, Lezlie Roxanne Wiederhold (Kevin) and a great-granddaughter, Paige Allyson Wiederhold.A memorial service will be held Tuesday, November 30, at 2:00 p.m., at the First Baptist Church of Taft, 420 Green Avenue, Taft, Texas.