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Douglas Neal Roper, age 73, died on the morning of March 13, 2023 at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas with his beloved wife by his side. Doug graduated from Balboa High School in the Panama Canal Zone. He moved to San Antonio, Texas in 1969 where he met and married Janet Lee Van Sickle. Doug was an accomplished artist and his love for art and history began with his childhood in Europe, Central America and multiple states in the U.S. He was encouraged to pursue his artistic talent by the noted sculptress, Waldine Tauch and his formal training began at the Warren Hunter School of Art in the 1970s. His first fifteen years were spent doing watercolors, commercial art and architectural renderings. Then after taking a sculpting course with Louis Guzman, his first bronze was cast in 1988 at Stevens Art Foundry in Bulverde, Texas. Since then, he has been creating miniature, life sized and large commissioned bronze sculptures. As part of a cultural exchange exhibit in the early 1990s, Doug was selected as one of the 10 artists whose work was sent to San Antonio’s sister city, Kyoto, Japan. He was a life member of the Coppini Academy of Fine Arts. Doug was one of the founding artists of the Carriage House Gallery in Boerne, Texas. He participated in that cooperative gallery for many years, loved working with the talented artists there and truly enjoyed interacting with the public. Now some of his work can be seen at the Helotes Gallery in Helotes, Texas. Some of his larger commissions include: • “The Rattler” at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas • “Sandhill Cranes” at Sandhill Shores, Talveston Island, Texas • The 2004,2005,2006 Airforce Academy senior plaques in Colorado Springs, Colorado • “The War Dog Memorial” in fron of the H. Lee Dennison Federal Building in Long Island, New York • “Taking Flight” at Morgan’s Wonderland, San Antono, Texas • “SuperFrog” at Texas Christian university, Fort Worth, Texas • “Heart of UIW” at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas Doug believed that he had a responsibility to develop and refine his God-given talent and, as a personal statement of faith, he signed his worked with an Ichthus. His work can be viewed at www.dougroper.com. He is survived by his wife, Janet, and their son, Sean Roper, grandson, Sean, and granddaughter, Serenity of San Antonio, Texas. He is also survived by his brother, Rev. Bert Roper and wife Sue of Madera, California, Ruben and Mellonee Villalobos, niece, Jennifer Roper Becker & Mike, nephew, Michael Roper & Elizabeth, John & Jeanine Van Sickle, Kealy & Tracy Van Sickle, Taylor Van Sickle, Jordan & Tony Douthit, Gordon & Nancy Van Sickle, Alex Van Sickle, Mallory & Matt Selby, Mary Parker, Bruce Van Hoose, Samantha & Jared Olivier, Katie Parker, Amber O'Connell, and numerous great nieces & nephews. sister in law, Norma Roper, cousins, Kay and Dick Melbert Tarsney and a wealth of friends who comprise his church and art families. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Shirley Roper, his sister, Pam, his brother George. And Jimmy and Laverne Melbert. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at Christ Fellowship United Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, you can honor Doug by contributing to support things that were near and dear to his heart: a college fund for his grandchildren * or by contributing to the Achievers Center for Education, a Christian school for students with special needs. * An account will be established at USAA Federal Savings Bank. Contact Janet Roper (210-844-2517) for details.

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Douglas Neal Roper

July 26, 1949 - March 13, 2023