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About
Harvey Roper Obituary
Born on December 15, 1952, in McAllen, Texas, Harvey earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Texas. He was known for his expertise in water testing techniques and technologies.
Harvey shared over 21 years with his wife, Paulette. He was the father of Ron and Pam and the stepfather of John and Jacob. He is survived by Paulette; his children, Ron and Pam; his stepchildren, John and Jacob; three grandsons, Dayn, Jett, and Johnny; his brother, Hal; his sister, Joyce, and his former wife, Eleanor.
A funeral service will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in San Clemente on March 6, 2025, at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation in his name to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (https://give.michaeljfox.org/give).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
5 Entries
Paulette Roper
March 19, 2025
This was written in honor of Harvey and was read at his funeral Mass on 6-Mar-2025.
We are gathered here today to honor the memory of Harvey Roper, my beloved husband, a man who touched the lives of so many with his humor, kindness, intelligence, and love. He blessed me in a very special way. My memories of him will bless me forever.
We met the summer of 2002 and we were married nine months later. I know that God brought Harvey to me. Dave Woodrum may claim responsibility, but I know God worked through Dave to make the introduction.
Through Harvey God healed the heart broken during my first marriage. Through Harvey God showed me how the love of a man and woman was but a glimpse of God´s love for me and all the people of the world.
Harvey loved me, he loved my children, he loved my parents (not always easy) and he loved my friends. Through him I gained two more children (Ron and Pam) and through them yet more family and friends.
Harvey was diagnosed with Parkinson´s disease in 2017. We both thought that if we fought hard enough, we would beat this disease and we did everything we could to slow its progression. But eventually we were forced to recognize the relentless deterioration of his movement and thinking. As soon as we thought it was as bad as it could get it got worse. I won´t go into more detail because those of you here who knew and loved him saw it for yourselves. Those of you who didn´t see him day to day need only to hear that he was a brave man who had to live with a disease that gradually robbed him of strength and rationality.
Harvey and I prayed together occasionally during our marriage, but I have to admit that prayer was not our focus. Our love of and fascination with one another was our focus. And it was glorious. I think we were for one another everything we thought we needed. Until we couldn´t be.
As Harvey´s health declined and eventually he had to live apart from me to receive the increased care he needed, I turned to church to connect with people and try to fill the void left by Harvey´s absence. At church I found God. He was waiting for me and welcomed me back like the father of the prodigal son. And I met some really nice people, too.
I began praying like I´d never prayed before. I prayed with Harvey and for Harvey. I prayed for a miracle for Harvey that he could be restored to the man he used to be. He was not restored to who he had been. But he was restored to who he became and who he was to be.
He and I prayed the rosary. Or rather, I prayed the rosary out loud and he heard me. He formally joined the Catholic church last summer. He was given a beautiful hand-made rosary as a gift that day. I will never forget the smile that filled his face when he received it. At that time, he could not talk but showed his affirmation as he could.
Harvey spent time with our mother Mary and with me. I know she brought him peace. I know he felt her love. I know we felt her love. The last few days of his life Harvey was aware. He made eye contact with me. He understood my prayers for him and his mother Mary´s prayers for him as the hour of his death approached.
Harvey is with God now. He knows God´s unfathomable love. He can move and think better than he ever was able to on this earth. He´s with those he loved who have left this world. He´ll be there for us one day.
Thank you all for being here to say good-bye to Harvey. He will be with all of us who loved him in our memories. His life blessed all of us. We will remember his smile, laugh, hugs, sense of humor, and his love. Our memories of him will bless us forever.
Susie Serviere Taylor
March 6, 2025
My fondest memory of Harvey is when I was a little girl and him a teenager. He would always lift me above his head upside down so that I could walk on the ceiling in the trailer in McAllen.
Grandma Roper had left him in charge and he teased her about we would be walking on the ceiling! Of course we had to then!
Became a habit every time we visited.
Sadly we both grew out of it but it was a blast while it lasted!!!!
Wayne Roper
February 21, 2025
I remember going down to Austin riding mopeds and playing with the 2 dogs with Hawaiian names.
Garnet Odom
February 20, 2025
So sorry for your loss. Uncle Harvey was my dad's baby brother, 14 yrs difference in age. Dad sends his condolences as do I. My family last saw him in 2007 when we visited the San Diego area. Thank you Paulette for all of your love and care for him over these recent years. Rest in peace.
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Ann Tack McClure
February 19, 2025
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God be always at your side and watch over all of you.
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