November 14, 1934 – April 1, 2025

David Lee Roper was born Wednesday morning, November 14th, 1934 (during the Great Depression) in Goodwell, Oklahoma (in the middle of the Dust Bowl) to Dave H. and Lillian Roper. His younger brother and lifelong best friend, Coy was born two years later.

David met Jo Annette Tibbles in the summer of 1951 at church in Moore, Oklahoma. David describes their first encounter: “I was at the back of the classroom and made some ‘smart’ remark and a girl at the front of the classroom turned around and smiled. I’ve always been a sucker for beautiful smiles.”  They were married  June 11, 1954, in Moore. 

Attending Abilene Christian College, he earned a BS in Bible. (It should be noted that after he was reunited with Jo his sophomore year, his grades greatly improved.) Later on he completed an MS degree at ACU.

He gave his first sermon at the age of eighteen, then held fulltime preaching positions in the U.S. at the following churches of Christ: The Village in Oklahoma City; Westside in Muskogee, Oklahoma; Eastside in Midwest City, Oklahoma; Brown Trail in Fort Worth, Texas; Central in Cleburne, Texas. During his time in Fort Worth, he hosted “The Truth in Love” television program.

As missionaries in Sydney, Australia, from 1968 to 1977, David, Coy and families helped establish the Macquarie church of Christ and the Macquarie School of Biblical Studies. 

David was a prolific writer. He published numerous Christian tracts, books, and booklets, including The Day Christ Came (Again). David served as an associate editor and writer for Truth for Today World Mission School, in Searcy, Arkansas, publishing multiple commentaries and magazine issues.

He had a special love for writing for children. Over fifty of his stories, poems, and articles have appeared in “Highlights for Children,” and other children’s publications. His numerous, beloved children’s books include The Little Old Man, the Little Old Woman, and the Little Red Hen.

David was a great mentor of other writers, including his friend, 10 year-old Kate Domina whose original play performance he watched from his hospital bed in March.

David was an award-winning comic magician and member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians for many years. He published several books on the subject, including The Comedy Magic Textbook.

He will be sorely missed by his daughters and their families: Cindy and Richard Honaker, Debbie Roper and Steve Shepherd, and Dan and Angi Lovejoy. He was a doting “Poppy” to grandchildren and their families: David and Olivia, Rachel and Patrick, Elijah and Charlie,  Kloe, Leo, and great-grandchildren Freya and Ava Jo. He is also survived by his sweet sister-in-law, Darlene Tibbles. He will be fondly remembered as a loving, fun, God-fearing uncle and great-uncle by the Roper and Tibbles branches.

In addition, Bucky (the infamous beagle) already misses him greatly. One of David’s last books was The Old Man and the Dog, recounting how Bucky helped him through his grief from Jo’s death.

David was preceded in death by his beloved Jo, parents Dave H. and Lillian Roper, brother and sister-in-law Coy and Sharlotte Roper, as well as cherished extended family: William Keith “Junior” Tibbles, Eunice Tidwell, Margaret Simpson, and Thomas Neal “Bud” Tibbles.

Donations in David’s memory may be made to Truth for Today World Mission School.

Thank you for your support and love.