Dr. Paul Kent Cropper Obituary (1929 - 2006)

Dr. Paul Kent Cropper, 76, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 5, 2006 surrounded by his loving wife and children. Paul was born on May 5, 1929 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Louise Fenn Cropper and Paul Pulsipher Cropper. Paul was the oldest of four children and lived most of his life in Salt Lake City. He attended South High and graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor’s degree prior to receiving his Doctorate in Dental Surgery from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Paul also served in the army as an intelligence officer after completion of an LDS mission in Eastern Canada from 1949-1951. Paul married his loving wife, Deon E. Peterson in the Manti Temple on Dec. 27, 1951. They recently celebrated 54 years together. Paul practiced general dentistry in the Murray/Holladay area for 31 years. His patients loved his kind humorous nature and attention to detail. In addition to his private dental practice, he served as a volunteer dentist at Primary Children’s Hospital Dental Clinic and on the board of the BYU Academy of Dentistry as well as the Utah State Board of Dentistry. Paul was a dedicated servant to his Father in Heaven. In addition to his full-time mission, Paul served on the Central States Mission Board under the direction of Alvin R. Dryer while attending dental school. He was also called to serve on the Young Men’s General Board where he served for seven years. Paul was a talented public speaker who held many priesthood positions including Elder’s Quorum President and High Priest Group Leader. Paul was an outstanding genealogist. During his lifetime he was consistently engaged in genealogical pursuits providing more than 60,000 names to the temple for ordinance work. Paul wrote a book compiling the Cropper Family genealogy and was recognized church-wide for his accomplishments. Paul also served in both the Salt Lake and Jordan River Temples as an ordinance and baptistery worker. One of Paul’s most memorable church assignments was serving as a guide on Temple Square for four years on Sunday evenings. Paul’s outgoing energetic nature allowed him to easily introduce the gospel to non-members visiting Utah. Paul is survived by his loving and dedicated wife, Deon Peterson Cropper; children Michelle C. Dye (Marc), Nancee C. Madsen (Bill), and Douglas P. Cropper (Lynne); brothers Gerald F. Cropper (Marge), and Richard N. Cropper (Carolyn), and his sister LuAnn C. Powell, as well as 10 grandchildren; Christopher, Michael, and Jonathan Dye; Jessica, Elise, Emilee, and Billy Madsen; Anne, Sam and Mary Cropper. Paul was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Jane Cropper. We, as children, express our love and appreciation to our dear mother for her tireless and selfless devotion to the care of our father. Funeral services will be held Monday, January 9, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. at the Cottonwood 2nd Ward Chapel, 5165 So. Highland Dr. (2080 E.). Viewings will be held Sunday, January 8, 2006 from 6-8 p.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 So. State Street and one hour prior to services on Monday at the church. Interment, Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 Highland Dr.