James Leroy (Pete) Roper

James Leroy “Pete” Roper was born June 11, 1956, in Madison, TN, the eldest son of Ronella Roper and the late Leroy Roper. He transitioned to eternal life Sunday, September 24, 2017.

Pete was educated in Davidson County Public Schools and graduated from Maplewood High School in 1974. During his high school years, he studied auto mechanics and later went to ITT Technical Institute in Evansville, IN. Although Pete knew the importance of getting an advanced education, he decided to return to Nashville to marry and start his family. From this union with Benezella Sneed, they were blessed with three children.

At an early age, Pete gave his life to Christ and was baptized at Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church in Madison, TN, the home church where his family has served as faithful members for over 60 years. Being very involved, he served on the Junior Deacon Board, the Junior Choir, and years later, he served as the bass player. In 2003, Pete rededicated his life to Christ and served as a faithful member and bass player at Hendersonville Pentecostal Church.

Spending the majority of his career as an auto mechanic, he specialized in transmissions and was known as a master welder. Pete was an exemplary employee and found favor as he utilized his gifted hands.

Additionally, Pete was an avid sports and music lover. His brother Steve taught him to play the bass guitar, and he was skilled at playing any song he was given. As an avid sports fan, Pete played on an all-star, little league baseball team. He believed in his beloved Tennessee Titans, even when we all wondered why. He loved fishing with his dad, football, baseball, basketball, and NASCAR. CNN and the Weather Station were among his favorite television stations, and he could talk about world news and weather 24 hours a day.

Pete was a loving, dedicated and faithful son, brother, and father. However, Pete’s favorite position in life was when he retired and became Paw Paw to Jermani and Ashton. Pete loved being a grandfather more than life itself. His grandchildren were his most prized possessions, and he could never say “no” to them. They loved spending the summers, holidays, and weekends with him.

You would often see him on the weekends with Jermani riding up and down Gallatin Road headed to Rivergate Mall, Books-A-Million, eating Chinese Food, or at the Dollar Tree. When he wasn’t with this precious granddaughter, he was traveling to Houston, TX to visit his grandson Ashton. Ashton loved to take his Paw Paw to eat crawfish and shrimp and to the Dollar Tree where his Paw Paw would buy him hot wheels cars and hot chips EVERYDAY.

Pete loved people and never met a stranger. He was affectionately known as Pete by everyone. We thank God fore the difference this gentle giant made in the lives of many. The fondest of memories of James Leroy (Pete) Roper will remain in our hearts and spirits, reminding us that we are safe in our Heavenly Father’s arms because he is our Good Shepard. Today we will extol thee. Our God, O king: and we will bless thy name for ever and ever.

Pete leaves to cherish his memories: a loving and faithful mother, Ronella Roper; daughter, Crissy Roper, sons, Charles “Lamont” Sneed (Denotra), James “Ronnie” Roper; grandchildren, Jermani and Ashton Roper; sister, Faye Roper Young; brother, Steven Roper (Flournette); Significant Other, Jennifer Roper. Pete also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, as well as a host of relatives and friends that he loved dearly.