Dr. John Tracy Roper

The son of the late Rufus Child Roper and Evelyn Walsh Roper, he was born on November 5, 1930. In high school, Dr. Roper achieved the honor of Eagle Scout. He was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and earned a varsity letter for two years as a cheerleader before graduating from Wofford College in 1950. At the Medical College of South Carolina, he was a member of the Phi Chi Medical Fraternity from 1951 to 1954 and earned his Medical Doctorate in 1954. Entering the U.S. Army Medical Corps as a First Lieutenant, he served three years as an otorhinolaryngologist (ENT physician) at Madigan, Brooke, and Sandia Base Army Hospitals before being honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. After separating from the military, Dr. Roper moved to York, South Carolina, in 1958 to take over his uncle Charlie's general medical practice. He later completed an orthopedic residency at Memorial Hospital in Charlotte, where he met and married his wife, Mitzi Jane Minor, in 1961. After completing his training, Dr. Roper launched a solo orthopedic practice and served patients with compassion, kindness, and exceptional care until his retirement in 1990.

Dr. Roper enjoyed investing in the lives of young people while coaching his children's basketball teams. He was an avid golfer who cherished both Grandfather Golf and Country Club, where he served a term as president, and Quail Hollow Club. Many of his closest and most treasured friendships were formed through those clubs. He was also a longtime member of Myers Park Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday School for many years and was an active member of the Wesley Sunday School Class. In retirement, Dr. Roper served on the Board of Bank of Mecklenburg from 1989 until its merger with PNC Bank in 2012.

During the latter part of his life, Dr. Roper devoted himself to the care of his wife. Even after losing his mobility, he was frequently seen traveling the halls of the Stewart Health Center in his electric wheelchair to accompany Mitzi to her favorite daily activity—music. As his health declined and he approached the final years of his life, his faith became a particular source of encouragement and comfort.

Dr. Roper's life reflected a calling and gifting to be a beloved physician, and through his ministry in medicine, he loved and served thousands of his neighbors by fulfilling, in part, the vocation of Jesus Christ: binding up wounds, healing diseases, and restoring health to the sick.

The family extends its deep gratitude to The Cypress of Charlotte and its staff, who became cherished friends through the wonderful care they provided to Dr. Roper during his years in the Stewart Health Center and continue to provide to Mitzi. The Cypress and its staff are a gift to the Charlotte community, and our family will always be grateful for their kindness, professionalism, and steadfast support.

In addition to his parents, Dr. Roper was preceded in death by his son, John Tracy Roper, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Mitzi; his son, William Jackson (Melissa), of Charlotte; his daughter, Jane Elizabeth Baynard (Bill Baynard, Jr.), of Charlotte; his daughter-in-law, Missy McKibbens Roper; and his grandchildren, Sheldon Elizabeth Curling, Rodlyn Elneus, Mary Katherine and Georgia Harris Roper, and; William Girroir III and Carter Chapel Baynard; and Loren Jane Roper.

The family will receive visitors at the Cypress of Charlotte Clubhouse on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. A private graveside service will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to

Camp Hollymont, Attn: Dr John T Roper Scholarship, 3895 Cherokee St., NW, Suite 625, Box 360, Kennesaw, GA 30144.

Dr John T Roper Scholarship Endowment, Attn: Covenant Day School, 800 Fullwood Lane, Matthews, NC 28105

Home School Legal Defense Association, PO Box 5000, Purcellville, VA 20134

Condolences may be shared at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com.