Mr. Gerald Leon Roper

A celebration of the life of Mr. Gerald Leon Roper, 91, of Henderson, will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at First Methodist Church with Pastor Travis Roper and Kevin Roper officiating, under the direction of Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at a reception in the Parlor of the church following the service.
A committal service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Lakewood Memorial Park, under the direction of Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home.
Mr. Roper passed from this life on December 3, 2024, at Hospice Homeplace in Tyler. He was born October 9, 1933, in Henderson to the late Leon and Blanche (Hawes) Roper and spent most of his life there. Gerald graduated from Henderson High School and went on to graduate from Sam Houston State University. He also attended Baylor University where he met the love of his life, Sarah Bain. He further received a Masters degree from the University of Houston. During this time, he served in the US Army Reserve for 9 years. Mr. Roper was a Special Education teacher for Galveston ISD and Special Education Supervisor for Texas City ISD before finishing his career in education at Tatum ISD. During his tenure at Tatum, he owned and operated Leon's Bakery for 10 years.
Fishing was a way of life for Mr. Roper, a skill that he shared with several friends of all ages throughout the years, and he loved to have a fish fry. He was also a gifted musician who played the organ and sang in the church choir for over 40 years as a member of First Methodist Church. Mr. Roper was also a member of the Rotary Club of Henderson where he was a Paul Harris Fellow.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Sarah Bain Roper of Henderson; children, Kevin Roper and wife Tina, Chris Roper and wife Jami all of Henderson, and Kelly Wilson and husband Cliff of Joinerville; sister, Peggy Sproles of Henderson; 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Henderson Rotary Club, c/o Treasurer Jeri Gaddis at P.O. Box 522, Henderson, TX 75653 and/or Hospice of East Texas Homeplace at 4111 University Blvd, Tyler, TX 75701.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordacrim.com.