John Anderson Roper, Jr., M.D., age 92, of 405 East Crescent Drive, Seneca, SC, died April 24, 2018 at Greenville Memorial Hospital. He was born in Six Mile, SC on August 25, 1925 and was the son of John Anderson and Sarah Ann Yeargin Roper. He was married for 62 years to Ruth Atkinson Roper, M.D., who predeceased him in 2014.
He is survived by his sons John Anderson Roper III (Valerie) of Midland, MI and David James Roper (Dori) of Kennett Square, PA, his daughters Keren Roper Willmon (David)… Read More » of Simpsonville, SC and Lydia Roper Cobranchi (Daryl) of Parkersburg, WV, his grandchildren Rebecca Roper, Matthew Willis, Nathan Willis, Anthony Cobranchi, Katelyn Cobranchi, Chelsea Cobranchi, Jonathan Cobranchi, Kristina Wolff, Kati Roper, John Roper and Sarah Roper, his great-grandchildren, Ryan, Reagan, Riley, Jacob and Chase Willis and Chase Wolff, his siblings Miriam Vickery of Spartanburg, Helen Carter of Easley, Elaine Marchbanks of Six Mile, Julien Roper of Campobello, Janet Humphries of Pickens, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by siblings Annie Mae Roper Lusk, James Cleo Roper, Leila Roper, Lillie Roper, Ruth Roper Clyde, Alice Roper Lattimore, Ollie Roper Atkinson, Martha Roper Vickery, Earle Roper and Mary Jane Roper. In World War II, he was wounded in active combat in France and received a Purple Heart.
He graduated from Furman University and Temple University School of Medicine and completed his residency in general surgery at Emory University Hospital. Drs. John and Ruth Roper served thirty-five years as medical missionaries in the Gaza Strip and Ajloun, Jordan with the Southern Baptist International Mission Board.
During his retirement, he continued to practice medicine until age 90, most recently as a volunteer physician at the free Rosa Clark Medical Clinic in Seneca, which strives to address the medical needs of the less fortunate in Oconee County. He practiced medicine for 65 years. He loved playing the piano, especially while accompanying his wife Ruth when she sang.
As a member of Seneca Baptist Church he was pianist for JOY Singers and Wednesday night prayer service, chaplain for the Golden Age Group, and a deacon. He was also well known for his cooking and gardening. He received several honors, including the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award from Furman University for his dedication to relieving human suffering and his noble humanitarian qualities of character, a resolution passed by the South Carolina Senate in recognition of his service at Rosa Clark, and was most notably being made an Officer of the Order of Al-Istiqlal (Independence) by His Majesty King Hussein of Jordan in recognition of his exemplary and meritorious service to the people of Jordan.
One of his favorite Bible verses was, “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8), and his life exemplified this verse. Funeral services will be conducted at the Seneca Baptist Church in Seneca, SC at 2 PM on Saturday, April 28, 2018 by Reverends Ryan Perry and Von Reynolds.
The family will receive friends at the church prior to the funeral services, starting at 1 PM. Interment will be at the Six Mile Baptist Church, in Six Mile, SC following the funeral services. Should friends desire, memorials may be made in his name to the Rosa Clark Medical Clinic, 210 South Oak Street, Seneca, SC 29678.
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