Gary Lee Cropper

Our beloved father and grandfather, Gary Lee Cropper, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2025, at the age of 87. He was born to Jesse H. Cropper and Helan E. Cropper in Los Angeles, CA on March 5, 1937, and his childhood in Norwalk instilled a lifelong passion for athletics and leadership. It was football that earned him a scholarship to the University of Arizona where he was a 3-time letterman and co-captain in his senior year. Off the field he studied mechanical engineering and was an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and the Bobcats. However, his biggest accomplishment during this time was successfully courting the love of his life, Barbara. They were married in 1959 and shared a wonderful life focused on family, friends, professional passions, and adventures over 66 years. Their love story is a testament to being each other’s best friend and unwavering commitment to another. Their connection was so strong, Barbara decided to join Gary in Heaven 13 days after he passed.

Gary spent 11 years in engineering sales before he was recruited by friends and fraternity brothers Craig and Brent Berge to a sales manager position at Berge Ford in Mesa. After 4 years there, he moved to Chapman Chevrolet as the General Sales Manager and was soon promoted to General Manager. His vision for his own dealership took hold in 1982 when he opened Gary Cropper Chevrolet in Casa Grande. Eventually the Gary Cropper Automotive Group was born with the addition of the CG Chrysler Center and Croppers Auto Center in Nogales.

Gary always said that his time at the U of A defined his life, attributed to his professional and personal successes, and most importantly, taught him the importance of service to others and being a helping hand to others as so many had been for him during his time there. Therefore, he remained close to the UA community as a dedicated and active alumnus. He was a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors from 1988-1996 serving as Chairman from 1994-1995 and was also an active member of the Pinal County UA Alumni Board. He participated in the annual Technology and Management Awards Luncheon and served as an Eller College Associate to mentor current undergraduates. He was recognized for his service to the university with multiple awards and was inducted into the SAE Hall of Fame in 2003 for continued service to the active chapter. His spirit of service and his passion for leadership also took root in the communities in which he lived and worked. His early involvement included the Tempe Diablos as well as the Tempe East Rotary Club where he served as President. As he built his businesses, he sat on the board of directors for the Arizona Automobile Dealers Association, served as President of the Casa Grande and Nogales Chamber of Commerce, served on the Casa Grande Economic Development Foundation, Arizona Department of Commerce Advisory Board, and the Pinal County United Way Board of Directors.

Gary spent his retirement years in Chandler, still consulting with Cropper Automotive Group but mostly enjoying various life adventures with Barbara and time with his children and grandchildren. He was the beloved patriarch of the family known as Papa. He taught us about showing kindness to others, possessing tenacity and determination to overcome adversity, community service and giving back, and the joy of a good sense of humor.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Jesse H. and Helan E. Cropper and sister Jeanne Hooker. He is survived by his four children, sons Mike Cropper, Steve Cropper, and Jon Cropper, and daughter, Caryn Cropper, his beloved son-in-law Warren Cole and daughters-in-law’s Maria Cropper and Martina Morehouse, grandchildren Logan, Kendall (Alec), Paige, Jackson, Jordan, Dani, Taylor, and Danielle, and great grandchildren Wylde and Nellie.

A joint celebration of life will be held for Gary and Barbara on March 23 from 12:00-4:00 at The Shalimar Golf Club in Tempe. All friends and family are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be sent to Hospice of the Valley. https://www.hov.org/donate/