Vernon Knox Roper was born on September 22, 1932 at Mangum Oklahoma to Yewell Washington Roper and Mattie Lena (Odell) Roper and passed away on October 8, 2023 at the VA Hospital in Clinton, Oklahoma. The family moved to a farm North of Butler in 1938. Vernon attended grade school at Antioch and graduated from Butler High School in 1950. He served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict from 1952 – 1954. He married Janice Ramsey. To this union 5 children were born, one still born child, Venetta, Russell, Mike and Gayla. Vernon worked for Richardson Construction Company who at the time constructed I-40 before he moved to Anchorage, Alaska and worked for BP Oil Company. In 1974 he returned to Oklahoma and married Twila Roper. Vernon was baptized in 1974 and remained a faithful Christian until his death. Shortly after marrying Twila, they purchased and operated the Bulter Grocery Store. After selling the store several years later, Vernon took a job as the Water Superintendent for the now Frontier Development Authority where he continued to work until his retirement. Vernon loved to go to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas where he and Twila owned a home and the grandkids loved to go with them. Twila proceeded him in death in 2008. Vernon married Dolores Lucas on July 4, 2011. Vernon and Dolores were traveling buddies in their motor home and would spend most winters in South Texas and hot summers in Colorado. Due to health issues Vernon went to the VA Center in Clinton in 2021 where he could get the care he needed.
Vernon was proceeded in death by his parents, his wife Twila, 1 stillborn child, sons Russell Roper and Mike Roper, 5 brothers, Vaundle, J.T., Elvin, Arie (A.W.), Lundon, 3 sisters, Oneeda Glasscock Letha Dupree, and Artie Fay Smith, grandson Joshua Tyree and great grandson Asher Roper. He is survived by wife Dolores and children, Vernetta Tyree, Gayla Williams, Galeard Roper, Loren Roper, Leslie Roper, Sandra Zerby, Karen Archer and Dwight Roper. 22 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren with one more on the way, Vernon is also survived by a sister Nada Baker. The last one out of 10 siblings.
Memorials may be made to the Butler Fire Department in care of Shaw Funeral Home, P.O. Box 276, Vici, OK 73859.
Graveside services were held Wednesday October 11, 2023 at 10:00 at the Butler Cemetery, Butler, OK. Condolences may be made to the family at shawfuneralhome. net. Shaw Funeral Home of Leedey