Gilbert Wesley Trosper Jr

Gilbert Wesley Trosper, Jr. was born June 24, 1931 in Oklahoma City, OK to Gilbert Wesley Trosper and Amanda Clementina Harrison. His family called him "Junior". He was an only child, but was raised close to many cousins, so there was never a shortage for someone to play or get into mischief with! Wesley was raised and lived the majority of his life on the twenty-four acres in Southeast Oklahoma City that his great-grandfather homesteaded. After graduating from Crooked Oak High School, he attended Murray State College before going into the Navy for three years during the Korean War. When his father passed away, he was sent back to the states where he was stationed on a tender ship for about three months serving as a fireman in the engine room. His home port was New Port, Rhode Island. They sailed to ports in Cuba, Jamaica, Nova Scotia, Iceland, and Northern Ireland. When he returned from the Navy, he finished a bachelor's degree in entomology at Oklahoma State University. He worked in pest control for a while, then as a federal meat inspector for the United States Department of Agriculture for thirty years.

He married Nan Etta Darrow in 1955. They had been married sixty-one years when God called him home. They had three sons: Gary, David, and Scott; and were blessed to have twelve grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren, all who lived close by. Every Sunday at lunch time, all the family who were able, met to eat at Papa and Grandma's house. Wesley loved to cook; he loved to try new recipes; and everyone's favorite was his fried chicken and noodles (which he always threw in chicken hearts for Scott).

Wesley was also an excellent carpenter. He added on to their small home as the boys were growing up, as well as built a cabin at Lake Eufala when the boys were old enough to help. They learned many building skills from their dad that they all still use today. He made toys, Christmas decorations, and many items for Vacation Bible School out of wood.

They loved to travel and were known to put those three rascally boys in the back of a camper and take off to many places all over the United States! They even took a trip to Europe when the boys were small!

What a full, fun, and adventurous life this special man lived! But, by far the most important thing was his relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Wesley received Christ as his Savior when he was dating Nan. After that, he was faithful to attend Shields Blvd. Baptist Church at every opportunity. He served as a deacon, a teacher to junior boys, as treasurer, and sang in the choir. He loved the Lord and had a tender heart for others. He and Nan raised their family to know God and live a life worthy of Christ. Through Wesley's character, generous heart, love for his wife, children and grandchildren, and even his orneriness, it was obvious that he loved the Lord and was dedicated to him.

Arrangements under the direction of Sunny Lane Funeral Home, Del City, OK.