Troy Lee Roper Obituary (1946 - 2019)

Troy Lee Roper, Jr, 72, passed away in Salt Lake City at the VA Medical Center on July 12, 2019. Troy was born September 8, 1946, to Troy Lee Roper, Sr. and Donna Jeane Younce in Long Beach, California. He graduated from Bishop Union High School in 1964. Troy served in the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam from 1965 to 1968. He was honorably discharged early to attend Pasadena City College. Troy was given a Bronze Star for his heroic acts but turned down the Purple Heart in honor of his fallen military brothers and sisters. Troy was known for his sense of humor, one-liner jokes, loud laughter, and love for his family. He always brought a smile to every party. Troy was in the packaging industry most of his career. His career took him to Reno, NV, Monterey, San Ramon, Modesto, Fresno, Pollock Pines, Placerville, and Sacramento, CA, and finally, Salt Lake City, UT. Troy was a consummate salesman. Troy was very involved in his community. During his time in California, he was the Vice-President of the Monterey Porsche Club, with that club he was an extra in “Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo” movie, and he raced Hobie Cats. While in Salt Lake City he was very involved in the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce especially the Salt Shakers (President), a business ambassador group for the Salt Lake Valley. Troy loved riding his BMW K100RT as well as most BMW motorcycles. He was very involved in the Beehive Beemers Motorcycle group. In that group, he served as Treasurer, Ambassador, Rally Master (2x), and President. In 2005, Troy was severely injured in a motorcycle accident when a person made an illegal U-Turn on highway 93A outside of Wendover. By way of many miracles, Troy survived, but he would be forever changed. Though disabled, this did not diminish Troy’s involvement in his community. After the accident, Troy became very involved in the veteran’s community. He created a transportation training program for fellow veterans to teach them how to use public transportation. This lead Troy to serve on the Utah Transportation Authority disability (UTA) board in a leadership role. During this time, Troy lobbied UTA and Utah state government to maintain public transportation for the disabled. Troy earned the United States Presidential Volunteer Award for over 11 years and more than 4500 hours of volunteer service to his veteran brothers and sisters. Of all the organizations Troy served, he was most proud of his service to his fellow veterans. Troy is survived by his sons: Troy Lee Roper, III (Candace), Christopher John-Mills Roper (Maggie), Grandchildren: Kylend, Gage, Katherine and Silas, Step-Grandchildren: William and Rowen, Sister: Lynne Roper Van-Etta, Step-Parents: Robert and Trudy Hart, and many more cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Services will be held July 26, 2019: Burial services will be held at the Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial at 3:00 PM, 17111 S. Camp Williams Road, Bluffdale, UT 84065, Celebration of Life Gathering at 4:30-7:00 PM, Sagewood of Daybreak, 11228 S. Oakmond Rd, South Jordan, UT 84009. All are welcome to join.