Wednesday, April 2, 2014 2:18 pm

Forest Dean “Duck” Roper, age 72, husband of Juanita Ayers Roper, of Forest City passed away Wednesday, March 26, 2014. 

He was a native of Rutherford County, a veteran of the Vietnam War serving in the First Infantry where he received the Purple Heart and numerous other service medals.

He was preceded in death by his parents Kelly and Rosie J. Roper and 5 brothers and 2 sisters.

Left to cherish his memory in addition to his wife Juanita is his daughter Angela Roper Flack and husband Aaron R. Flack of Forest City; several nieces and nephews and coffee club friends at Deb’s Mini Mart on Oakland Rd.

Services were held at Crowe’s Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Mike Snelgrove officiating. Burial was held in the Western North Carolina Veterans Cemetery. The Rutherford County Veterans Honor Guard provided military honors.

Crowe’s Mortuary & Crematory is assisting the family.