Phillip Ropeter

PHILLIP ROPETER, 72, of Goodyear died December 29, 2013. Mr. Ropeter was born September 9, 1941 in Los Angeles, CA to Edwin and Rhonda Ropeter. He served in the U.S. Air Force. Survived by his wife of 32 years Christina Ann, one daughter, Christine Marie, one sister, Pat Carter, one brother, Lynn and one grandson.

Phil loved bowling and driving. We would go out riding and he would get lost on purpose so we could drive for long periods. When he finally recognized where we were he would said "I know were we are so now we can go home"

We loved going to the movies! His favorites were comedies and romance and some times a sci fi. In fact one of his favorite movies was Avatar and his other favorite movie was The Titanic.

We loved to eat out and go to the Baseball games. Our favorite team is the Diamondbacks! Other sports he loved to watch was Football. It took him 10 years to teach me the game of football. His most favorite Holiday was Christmas! He loved decorating the house! The first time he spent Christmas with me, I didn't put any decorations or a Christmas tree up. He would not have any of that! That day we went out and bought a small Christmas tree and some Christmas lights. While he put up the lights I decorated the tree. From that point on we always had a Christmas tree and Christmas decorations!

He was such the romantic! Up to the his death we held hands! We always celebrated our Anniversaries, birthdays, Valentine's Day and Christmas.

Throughout the years we traveled to many cites and countries! We went to Hawaii in 1983! We had so much fun there! Went with our dear friends Kenny and Sheila! On this trip we travel all over the Island. On one of those trips we went to see a waterfall and we had to hike up a mountain! Phil said if I was game and I said yes. As we climbed the mountain in our flip flops it became harder and harder to climb up. We came to one last climb that was about a 90 degree angle. I manage to make but Phil hadn't climb it yet. When I finally reached the top I was very tired and there were still several more feet left to reach the top so I said I didn't want to climb any more so I told Phil I was coming down. I started down and realized that it was harder and scarier to climb down and I froze halfway. Phil shouted up to me "If I felled I can't catch you"! Well needless to say, I didn't fall!

Another adventure where Phil supported me was opening up a retail store! That was a very scary event; but Phil had so much confidence in me that he knew I would be successful! For 10 years I ran a book store named Crystal Rose Bookstore! Eventually, the store did fail and I had to go back to work! In hindsight, I would not have opened the store; but, Phil never once regretted our decision to open up a store because he knew it was a dream I had and he wanted me to have that dream!

Even though we weren't particularly religious. We would go to church on the holidays and often talk a lot about God and our Lord Saviour Jesus Christ. We also talked about other religions as well. We often explored the idea about reincarnation.

At the time we met Phil told me he couldn't give me any children, but I said it was okay! Instead throughout our marriage we acquired 8 fur babies. They were Moo Moos, a Hughes Helicopter stray cat, Roxie, a mutt dog, Ebbie, a Siamese cat, Elizabeth, a hound dog, Samer's a 3 year old cat that Phil rescued from an abused home, Rosie, part Chihuahua and something else, Teenie, a purebred Chihuahua and finally Lucie a rescued dog that was part Chihuahua and rat terrier. He loved all his fur babies; but, it was Lucie that stole his heart!

From the day we met to his last breath he always thought of me! If any two people were meant to be together it was me and Phil! It was our destiny to be together!

Until we meet again! I will always love him until eternity!

A celebration of life will be held Friday January 10, 2014 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Advantage Crystal Rose Chapel 9155 W Van Buren Tolleson. Arrangements entrusted to Advantage Crystal Rose Funeral Home 9155 W Van Buren Tolleson.