On June 17th, 2023, Coy D. Roper, 86, of Abilene, Texas, missionary, preacher, Bible class teacher, author, and educator, and beloved Dad and Grandpa, passed away at Hendrick Hospice Care in Abilene, Texas. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 23rd, 2023, from 6pm to 8pm at North's Funeral Home, 242 Orange St., Abilene. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 24th at 9:30 am at the Hamby Church of Christ, 197 CR 504, Hamby with Jon Schwiethale officiating. Burial will follow at the Abilene City Cemetery. Coy was born on May 12th, 1937, in Dill City, Oklahoma, to Dave H. and Lillian Roper. Coy graduated from high school in Comanche, Oklahoma, and then from Abilene Christian University in 1958 with a major in Bible. Coy married his beloved Sharlotte Shannon on May 30, 1958, a blessed union and partnership that lasted 62 years. Coy was a lifelong learner, attending eleven different colleges, culminating in a bachelor's degree, three Master's degrees, and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. A lifelong educator, Coy taught at five different Christian and Bible colleges, a preaching school, and in four different states and three different countries (Canada, Australia, and the U.S.). As a dedicated missionary, Coy spent ten years in the mission field in Sydney, Australia, and has been involved in numerous mission trips, gospel meetings, lectureships, campaigns throughout the world, spanning four continents and six countries over a period of fifty years. Coy preached at a total of 11 congregations throughout Canada, America, and Australia, finishing his preaching career at the Trent Church of Christ in Trent, Texas. Coy's main mission in life was to teach preachers and missionaries, who could spread the Gospel throughout the world. Toward this goal, he helped begin the Macquarie School of Biblical Studies in Sydney, Australia, and especially enjoyed his time at Michigan Christian College and Heritage University in this role. As an author, Coy wrote religious commentaries and articles for The Truth for Today World Mission School, and numerous other poems, novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, and autobiographical pieces. Coy ran Sharlotte's House Bed and Breakfast with his beautiful wife and cook, Sharlotte Roper, in Tuscumbia, Alabama. Coy was also an avid actor, director, and playwright, participating in many productions throughout his lifetime. Coy is survived by his brother David Roper, of Midwest City, Oklahoma; children: Dee Ann Shepherd (Ian), Alec Roper, and Shannon Boren (Dan); grandchildren: Tabitha Cherry (Talon), Ethan Shepherd (Leah), Danny Boren (Lezli), Katie Boren, Faith Harper (Brandon), Camden Boren, Drew Roper (Katelyn), Rachelle Steggerda, Brianna Roper, and Cody Roper; great grandchildren: McKenna Shepherd, Rowan Shepherd, Jayden Cherry, Katelyn Hatmaker, Brittany Odle, Jerrod Boren, Lainey Boren, Taylor Boren, Ellie Harper, Asher Harper, Declan Harper, Samuel Harper, Raelyn Roper, Emelia Roper, Joel Roper, and Kennedi Roper; nieces: Cindy Honaker (Richard), Debbie Roper (Steve), Angie Lovejoy (Dan), Robyn Jones (Mitch), Vale Shannon, Paige Hodges (Dusty), and nephew Art Shannon (Cathy); and many loved GREAT nieces and nephews. Coy is preceded in death by his parents, Dave H. and Lillian Roper; wife, Sharlotte Shannon Roper; brother-in-law Jamie (Carmen) Shannon, sister-in-law Sharon Buckman, and sister-in-law Jo Roper. Condolences for the family may be left at www.northsfuneral home.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following: Heritage Christian University Truth for Today World Mission School Macquarie School of Biblical Studies PO Box 41 North Ryde, NSW 1670, Australia.