Dana Jeanne Roper's Obituary
Dana Laxson Roper passed away peacefully on August 30, 2014 after a courageous battle with Frontotemporal dementia. Dana was born in Rapid City, South Dakota, on January 22, 1945. Dana moved with her family to San Antonio in 1947. She was consistently a great student and was always involved in numerous extracurricular activities, including being cheerleader at Highlands High School from where she graduated in 1963. She attended Texas Tech University for one year and then transferred to the University of Texas from where she graduated in 1967. After graduating from UT, she lived in Houston where she taught school, then worked for IBM, followed by a role as a headhunter for a recruiting firm. In 1982, she moved back to San Antonio and worked for a local recruiting firm before joining National Bank of Commerce as the Corporate Trainer. A few years later she joined Broadway Bank, first as Director of Training and was later promoted to VP-Employment. Dana loved learning and in 1995, she earned her Masters degree from Our Lady of the Lake University. Dana found great fulfillment in using her talents to help others learn and grow. Dana was determined to wait to marry the “right one” and, in 1999, she met and married the Love of her life, Jack Roper. Jack lived in Dallas and, after they married, Dana moved from San Antonio to Dallas where she joined Jack as a member of Lovers Lane United Methodist Church. She soon secured a new role in banking as VP of HR for North Dallas Bank and Trust. She worked there until 2007 when she retired so that she could spend more time in San Antonio with her elderly parents. She loved her time with her parents and they spent many happy hours together watching basketball and football games on TV. After Dana was diagnosed with Frontotemporal dementia in May 2010, Jack became her devoted, committed, loving caregiver doing everything he could to ensure that she received the best care possible. Dana was a bright, multi-faceted, vibrant light in the world. She was a girl scout, a cheerleader, a Sunday School teacher, an artist, world traveler, music lover, avid reader, fitness fanatic, caring sister, beloved friend, devoted daughter, and loving wife. More than anything, Dana loved spending time with her family and friends. She was a beautiful person and a wonderful gift to all who knew her. Her warmth, her genuine interest in others, her kindness, and her enthusiasm for life will be greatly missed. Dana is predeceased by her parents, Dan and Billye Laxson. She is survived by her loving husband, Jack; brothers, Gary (Patricia) and Bob (Glenda); stepson, Bo (Jessica) and step-daughter, Jenna (Vladas), 4 grandchildren, numerous aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and best friend Karla Fulton. Dana’s family wants to thank Eve Campbell for her special care for Dana and also thank the staff of the Colonial Gardens facilities in Ft Worth and San Antonio. Services to celebrate Dana’s life will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday, September 4, 2014 at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church, 9200 Inwood Road Dallas, Texas 75220. Those wishing to make a donation rather than sending flowers are encouraged to donate to a charity of their choice.
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