Richard Ray Roper, of Alcoa, TN, died Saturday, March 19, 2011 at Parkwest Medical Center in Knoxville, TN of a stroke. Born in Louisville, KY on June 4, 1957, Rick was a 1975 graduate of Everett High School and a long time employee of Kimberly-Clark company in Loudon, TN. He was also a Marine Corps veteran and served in Okinawa. He was married to Linda Bottenfield Roper and was the father of Heather April Roper of Dallas, TX. He was an avid golfer, and enjoyed time spent at his family’s property at Douglas Lake. He was a loving husband and father, a wonderful son and brother and a good friend. He will be remembered for his positive outlook on life, his sense of humor and his laid-back attitude. Rick was also survived by his mother, Patricia McGee Roper; his brother John Caldwell Roper, Jr. and his wife Ann ; his brother Robin Patrick Roper and his wife Cathie; his sister Roxanne Roper Douglas and her husband Michael Douglas; his sister Patricia Roper Pearson and her husband Glen; his brother and sister-in-law David and Sandy Greene, his niece Stephanie Roper DeLucenay and her husband Paul and their son Alec, His nephew Brian Lobb and his wife Amanda and their children Brandon, Hunter, Megan and Faith; his niece Tristan Lobb Karnes and her husband Josh and their son Aryien; his nephews Ryan and Justin Roper, his niece Billie King and her children Keira and Thomas, his niece Amanda King Sanchez and her husband Cain and their children Christian and Austin; and his nieces Lora and Debra Douglas. He was preceded in death by his father John Caldwell Roper, Sr.; his sister Karen Roper Lobb and his grandparents Caldwell and Bertha Roper and Robert and Rose McGee. The family will receive friends at Smithview Pavilion & Event Center, 601 Smithview Drive, Maryville, TN 37803 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 with military honors provided at 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Blount County Animal Rescue Effort or the charity of choice. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville.