James Henry Roper

James Henry (Jim) Roper 1923 - 2012 James Henry (Jim) Roper, 89, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, at his home in Burley, Idaho, after suffering from congestive heart failure and pulmonary disease (and after a good day of visiting with life-long friends). He was born on Jan. 29, 1923, to William and Tess Roper in Burley. He grew up on Burley's Conant Avenue, worked in the family clothing store (Roper's, started in 1912 by his father) from age 8, graduated from Burley High School in 1941 (3rd in his class of 141 students), attended the University of Idaho, and enlisted in the US Navy's V12 program in 1943. The Navy sent Jim to Supply Corps Training School at Harvard University, and after receiving his commission, Jim served as Disbursing Officer aboard the USS Guadalcanal. Following the war, Jim finished his degree work from the University of Idaho. He also met Bette Lee Isenburg from Rupert, they were married on Sept. 16, 1946, and they began a partnership that would last 61 happy years. Jim and Bette moved to Palo Alto, California in the fall of 1946 so Jim could attend Stanford University, and he earned a Masters in Business Administration degree the following year. Jim and Bette returned to Burley in 1947, and Jim began his life-long career with Roper Clothing Company. Under Jim and his brother John's leadership, Roper's grew from 2 stores (Burley and Rupert) to as many as 8 stores (Twin Falls, Buhl, Boise, Idaho Falls, downtown Salt Lake, and Murray, Utah). Roper's became recognized as a model family owned clothing store locally and nationally. Jim and John both served as officers in the national Menswear Retailers Assoc. of America, and Jim was president of the MRA in 1983. Roper's celebrated 88 years of business excellence, and one of Jim's proudest business accomplishments was providing health care insurance and a pension program for Roper's employees before almost any other retailer in the country would do so. And in 1988, at age 65, Jim decided to develop a two-story downtown Boise retail building when it became apparent that Boise needed real business leadership. Jim's business brilliance led to the Capitol Terrace building that is today the anchor for Boise's revitalized downtown. Jim's commitment to his community was even more in evidence. He loved Burley, often commenting that no community anywhere could boast of such great civic-minded people. Jim was a 65 year member of the Burley Rotary Club, active in the Burley Chamber of Commerce, on the Burley City Council for 10 years, and active in the Idaho Republican Party. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Burley #68 since 1945 and a Scottish Rite Mason since 1956. Jim was a lifelong member of Burley's First Presbyterian Church, serving as Church School Superintendent, Scout Master, and as a long time choir member. Jim served beyond Burley too, as President of the University of Idaho Alumni Association in 1964 and as an enthusiastic Board Member for the Idaho Youth Ranch since 1975. He and Bette were founding donors of the Idaho Community Foundation, and Jim served on the Foundation's Board of Directors for years. Jim and Bette enjoyed years of traveling together, golfing in Arizona with friends, skiing in Sun Valley, teaching their grandchildren to ski and love life. Jim is survived by family and friends who will miss his generosity and his profound wisdom. For many years now, every day at 4 pm, Jim along with his friends from grade school, Lex and Glen Kunau, have hosted a coffee hour in downtown Burley for hundreds, complete with custom coffee cups. The highlight of Jim's last day alive was this hour with his friends. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Maureen; his brother and sister-in-law, John and Alice; his nephew, John Jr.; and his wife, Bette. He is survived by sons, Jeff (and Frances) Roper of Burley, and David (and Annette) Roper of Helendale, California; his niece, Victoria Roper of Hailey; by grandchildren, Sam (and Andrea) Roper of Bellingham, Washington, Allison Roper of Boise, and Ben (and Cinthia) Roper of Boise; by step-grandchildren, Kevin (and Nickole) Neal, Burley, Kimberly Parish, Heyburn, and Jaimee Thomason, Helendale, California, and twelve great-grandchildren. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 17, at the First Presbyterian Church, 2100 Burton Ave., in Burley, with The Rev. John Ziulkowski officiating. Military rites will be provided by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Organization. Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 East 16th St., in Burley, and one hour prior to the service Monday at the church. Contributions can be made to the Idaho Youth Ranch or the Idaho Community Foundation in the names of James and Bette Roper and may be mailed to Rasmussen Funeral Home, P.O. Box 878, Burley, ID 83318-0878.