Bonnie Lee (Cropper) Fike
Bonnie Lee (Cropper) Fike died on Monday, July 14, 2025, at The Shores of Clear Lake in Houston, Texas. She was born in Bakersfield, Missouri on May 29, 1932, to Silas Clay Cropper and Opha Beatrice Cropper. She is preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Walter Donald Fike, her parents, her grandson, Jarrod Fike and her nephew, James McLeod. She is survived by her sons, Barry (Connie), Paul (Lynne), Byron (Liz), her nephew, Don (Nelta) McLeod, her grandchildren, Brandon (Cherry), Whitney, Beverly Clifford, Jeremy (Adrienne), Benjamin (Laura), Elizabeth (Jaime) Arizpe, Kelley (David) Young, Evan, Jason (Kim) McLeod, Shannon (Jeff) Taylor, 23 great grandchildren, and innumerable extended family and friends.
After graduating from West Plains High School (Missouri), Bonnie attended Harding College (Arkansas) where she was active in her social club and college activities. After her freshman year she taught at Stony Point School, a one room schoolhouse, in southern Missouri. On August 28, 1953, she married Don, a young preacher, whom she met at Harding College. Don and Bonnie ministered together with Churches of Christ in Arkansas, Alabama, Kansas, Massachusetts and Colorado. After retirement they traveled to many foreign countries assisting churches and encouraging ministers and missionaries. When they were not traveling, she welcomed many students (including internationals) from Colorado State University into her home for meals and Bible study. She also spent hours volunteering at the Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins.
Bonnie’s holiday traditions were eagerly anticipated by family and friends alike. She loved baking gingerbread men with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her pumpkin, strawberry-rhubarb and pecan pies are legendary. Especially memorable are the board and card games which Bonnie usually won.
A memorial will be held at Clear Lake Church of Christ, 938 El Dorado Blvd, Houston, TX 77062 on Saturday, July 26 at 2 pm. It will be livestreamed on YouTube. Memorial donations can be made to Mountain States Children’s Home in Longmont, Colorado.
My sympathy and condolences to your family at the loss of your dear mother. Don baptized my husband in Kansas. We loved your sweet family while they were there.🙏🙏🙏
I first met Bonnie on July 18, 1992 — the morning that she and Don picked me up to go to Rocky Mountain Church of Christ. It was my second day in Fort Collins as a foreign student. Although my English wasn’t good, their warm greetings and kind, gentle smiles bridged the gap between us and eased the language barrier.
Later that year in December, on the day my brother moved back to Taiwan, Bonnie was worried that I might feel lonely and sad after my family left. So she and Don waited for me outside the bus station at 5:00am in the morning. I still remember Bonnie hugging me tightly and saying to my brother, “Don’t worry, we’ll take good care of your sister.” At that moment, I felt such warmth. I held Bonnie and couldn’t stop crying. I was deeply moved by her love and care. She made me feel at home — that I was no longer alone in a foreign country.
During the years we had Bible study together, Bonnie not only helped me grow in faith, but also helped me understand American culture. She comforted, supported, and encouraged me like a family member.
Though she is no longer with us, her love, her smile, her warmth, sincerity, gentleness, and beauty will always remain in our hearts.
Dear Bonnie, we love you. May you rest in the gracious and loving arms of our Lord.
Dear Bonnie,
The news of your passing came as a tremendous shock to me. I am deeply saddened, heartbroken, and filled with an overwhelming sense of loss.
I still remember when I first arrived in Fort Collins, Colorado in 1994. My English was poor, and I felt fearful and helpless in a foreign land. It was you and Don who welcomed me with warmth and made me feel at home. I’ll never forget how you both took me to the supermarket and patiently taught me the English names of vegetables, so I wouldn’t feel lost when shopping anymore.
Your Thursday Bible study brought this lost sheep back into the arms of the Lord. You gave me so much love and care — far more than I could ever repay in this lifetime.
Your departure is a great loss to all of us and especially to your beloved family. But I believe each of us will hold you in our hearts forever and ever.
I pray for you — may you now rest in the arms of the Lord, embraced by His eternal, unfailing love…
I first met Bonnie on July 18, 1992 — the morning that she and Don picked me up to go to Rocky Mountain Church of Christ. It was my second day in Fort Collins as a foreign student. Although my English wasn’t good, their warm greetings and kind, gentle smiles bridged the gap between us and eased the language barrier.
Later that year in December, on the day my brother moved back to Taiwan, Bonnie was worried that I might feel lonely and sad after my family left. So she and Don waited for me outside the bus station at five in the morning. I still remember Bonnie hugging me tightly and saying to my brother, “Don’t worry, we’ll take good care of your sister.” At that moment, I felt such warmth. I held Bonnie and couldn’t stop crying. I was deeply moved by her love and care. She made me feel at home — that I was no longer alone in a foreign country.
During the years we had Bible study together, Bonnie not only helped me grow in faith, but also helped me understand American culture. She comforted, supported, and encouraged me like a family member.
Though she is no longer with us, her love, her smile, her warmth, sincerity, gentleness, and beauty will always remain in our hearts.
Dear Bonnie, we love you. May you rest in the gracious and loving arms of our Lord.
I first met Bonnie on July 18, 1992 — the morning that she and Don picked me up to go to church. It was my second day in Fort Collins. Although my English wasn’t good, their warm greetings and kind, gentle smiles bridged the gap between us and eased the language barrier.
Later that year in December, on the day my brother moved back to Taiwan, Bonnie was worried that I might feel lonely and sad after my family left. So she and Don waited for me outside the bus station at five in the morning. I still remember Bonnie hugging me tightly and saying to my brother, “Don’t worry, we’ll take good care of your sister.” At that moment, I felt such warmth. I held Bonnie and couldn’t stop crying. I was deeply moved by her love and care. She made me feel at home — that I was no longer alone in a foreign country.
During the years we had Bible study together, Bonnie not only helped me grow in faith, but also helped me understand American culture. She comforted, supported, and encouraged me like a family member. Though she is no longer with us, her love, her smile, her warmth, sincerity, gentleness, and beauty will always remain in our hearts.
Dear Bonnie, we love you. May you rest in the gracious and loving arms of our Lord.
I first met Bonnie on July 18, 1992 — the morning that she and Don picked me up to go to Rocky Mountain Church of Christ. It was my second day in Fort Collins. Although my English wasn’t good, their warm greetings and kind, gentle smiles bridged the gap between us and eased the language barrier.
Later that year in December, on the day my brother moved back to Taiwan, Bonnie was worried that I might feel lonely and sad after my family left. So she and Don waited for me outside the bus station at five in the morning. I still remember Bonnie hugging me tightly and saying to my brother, “Don’t worry, we’ll take good care of your sister.” At that moment, I felt such warmth. I held Bonnie and couldn’t stop crying. I was deeply moved by her love and care. She made me feel at home — that I was no longer alone in a foreign country.
During the years we had Bible study together, Bonnie not only helped me grow in faith, but also helped me understand American culture. She comforted, supported, and encouraged me like a family member. Though she is no longer with us, her love, her smile, her warmth, sincerity, gentleness, and beauty will always remain in our hearts.
Dear Bonnie, we love you. May you rest in the gracious and loving arms of our Lord.
When I first moved to Houston and didn’t know what to do or where to turn, I reached out to Clear Lake Church of Christ. And that’s how I met Bonnie. She and her warm heart opened the door to a new beginning for me and a friend who was also struggling at the time. Bonnie kindly invited us into her home and volunteered to teach us a weekly Bible class. She did so with gentleness, patience, and love that I will never forget.
Even after her health began to decline and we could no longer meet regularly, I would occasionally visit her at home just to talk. And every time, I left feeling encouraged. Bonnie was one of the kindest yet strongest people I’ve ever met. No matter what life threw at her, she always wore a smile and carried herself with grace and positivity. For someone like me, who often felt overwhelmed and discouraged, her presence was a powerful example and comfort.
I still vividly remember one church service where we prayed together. I was going through a difficult time and broke down in tears. And Bonnie, sitting beside me, prayed so earnestly for me. Her prayer, her support, and her love deeply moved me.
I believe that she is now joyfully reunited in heaven with her beloved husband and parents. Bonnie touched my life in ways words can hardly express, and I will never forget her. I am also deeply grateful to Byron and Liz for their kindness toward me as well.
With all my heart .
Thank you, Bonnie.