James W. Roper

James “Jim/Jimmy/Shimmy” W. Roper, 78, was a miracle baby born to quadragenarian parents, Bertha and Hans, in Long Island City. His parents were German immigrants who arrived in NYC in the 1920s. Jim had given his parents tremendous joy during the last years of their lives as his mother’s giggle was heard throughout their apartment building. Jim's sister Carla and her husband Frank became Jim’s parental figures as his parents passed during his preteen years.

 
Jim’s lifelong joy of learning started from a young age. He was a voracious reader of niche non-fictional historical stories and loved science fiction. As a child, he raised goldfish guppies to sell at the local pet store, so that he could purchase books on more exotic fish breeding. Jim learned how to build a variety of toy models and wood sculpting and continued to build complex mechanical models into adulthood. Carla always spoke highly of Jim’s curiosity and kind nature and how he loved animals and his gentle nature made animals drawn to him, including his beloved ‘King Kong’, a bush baby that was given to Jim by his older brother, Hans! Jim’s love of learning carried on well into adulthood with learning how to fly gliders & powered aircraft, home building projects, and one of this great loves – CARS!

Jim graduated Iowa Wesleyan with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. He had a short break before voluntarily enlisting in the Army where he served in the infantry during the Vietnam War. Jim was injured during combat and received a Purple Heart. 

After discharge, Jim worked as an outside auditor with Posner and fate brought him across country to a company in southern California, PCA, where he caught the eye his other great love, Sandy. It took about a month of dating before Jim asked Sandy marry him in the most ‘Shimmy’ way possible, as a hypothetical question!

After clarifying his question and meeting Sandy’s family (parents Leida, Alberto, and siblings Art, Sonia, and Nelson), they were soon married and welcomed their first child together, Kurt. A work relocation took the family back to the east coast to settle in NJ. Shimmy learned by following Reader’s Digest books on home repair and remodeling to turn a summer cottage into a year round home where they grew their family with their second (but best) child, Kristina three years later.

Jim excelled in his roles in quality assurance and regulation within the pharmaceutical industry, his quiet leadership garnered the admiration of those that reported to him. While continuing to be a loving husband and father, ensuring the house and cars were in working order (he prided himself in doing routine car maintenance), along with his demanding work schedule, he managed time to continue his education, graduating from Fairleigh Dickinson University with an MBA in 1995.  

With all of his life accomplishments, he just loved to spend time at home with his family and his wife, who was the light in his eyes. Jim was the foundation in raising two kids, he was always there then they needed him and supported Sandy through every hardship. Throughout Jim’s long-term illness, Sandy became the level to his foundation and took on the role of caregiver. Given the circumstances, Sandy gave Jim the best retirement one could have by filling it with travel, dining, and many, many car rides. Kurt and Kristina are very proud of their mother.  
 

Jim never spoke ill of others and will be remembered with admiration and fondness. Kurt’s wife, Michelle, and Kristina’s husband, Jesse will remember their father in law as being intimidating at first, but once you got to know him as being a softie and oftentimes, very funny with a sarcastic wit. Jim’s ‘car DNA’ has been passed onto his son and grandsons, Danny (wife, Jackie) and Tyler, all of whom he was incredibly proud of and always looked forward to spending time with.

Quietly, Jim made an impact in the lives of those who knew him and we will continue his legacy by striving for kindness & curiosity in the world around us.

Later, dude.  


Jim’s family would like to acknowledge and thank the many professionals that have helped give him a quality of life during his illness and those who rooted for his recovery at Morristown Medical Center and Saint Claire’s Hospital. And a big thank you to the wonderful nurses who cared directly for him, CNAs, and therapy staff at The Oaks at Denville.  

A Memorial Visitation will be held 5-7pm, on Thursday May 8, at the Bermingham Funeral Home, 216 S. Main St., Wharton.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to The Parkinson’s Foundation (Parkinson.org). 

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