Clifford Daniel Raper, 80, of Overland Park, KS, died on February 9, 2024 at Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park, KS after a lengthy battle with heart disease and diabetes.
He was born November 5, 1943 in Greenfield, IA to Noel and Geraldine “Marie” Raper.
Dan enlisted in the United States Navy in June 1963 and served until his honorable discharge in June 1967.
He married Betty JoAnn Sample on June 9, 1969 and joyfully embraced the role of father to her two children, Kevin Sample and William Sample. They later welcomed two additional children, Troy Raper and Carolyn Raper.
Dan joined the Iowa State Patrol in 1968. He served as a Trooper from 1968 to 1980 out of the District 14 Office in Ottumwa. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1980 and assigned to the District 4 Office in Denison where he retired in 1997. Dan took great pride in his 29 years of service within the Iowa State Patrol. In retirement, he worked as a driver’s license examiner in several Iowa counties.
In addition to his military and civil service, Dan also enjoyed watching TV, attending garage sales and auctions, going to movies, helping his kids with their home improvement projects, following politics and spending time with his family.
Dan is survived by a brother, Jerry Raper of Phoenix, AZ; a brother, Jack (Phyllis) Raper of Kalispell, MT; a sister, Karen Long of Fontanelle, IA; a sister-in-law, Nancy (Don) Pfund of Spirit Lake, IA; a son, William (Barb) Sample of Plano, TX; a son, Troy (Janna) Raper of Leawood, KS; a daughter, Carolyn (Art) Raper-Hortua of Lenexa, KS; a former daughter-in-law, Lisa Sample of Denison, IA; and multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Noel and Marie Raper; his wife, Betty Raper; three brothers, Richard Raper, Ernie Raper and Keith Raper: two sisters, Phyllis Lane and Delores Carns; and his oldest son, Kevin Sample.
His body has been cremated. Graveside services and inurnment will be 1 p.m. Saturday, June 22nd at Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Ottumwa.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests donations to be to the family in Dan’s honor for a charity to designated at a later date.
