JACK E. LOPER, LCDR, USN
Jack Loper '46
Lucky Bag
From the 1946 Lucky Bag:
Jack Edwin Loper
Covington, Kentucky
Anybody who has ever been to Chapel on Sunday morning knows Jack Loper. He loved to sing, and we loved his singing. "Lope" wasn't a star in athletics or studies, but he was a good athlete, a good student and a good friend. He played hard and studied hard throughout his three years here. His heart was in everything he did, just as it was in every word he sang. Next to vocalizing, Jack's main interest was in eating, as any of his classmates will testify.
The Class of 1946 was graduated in June 1945 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Jack Edwin Loper
Covington, Kentucky
Anybody who has ever been to Chapel on Sunday morning knows Jack Loper. He loved to sing, and we loved his singing. "Lope" wasn't a star in athletics or studies, but he was a good athlete, a good student and a good friend. He played hard and studied hard throughout his three years here. His heart was in everything he did, just as it was in every word he sang. Next to vocalizing, Jack's main interest was in eating, as any of his classmates will testify.
The Class of 1946 was graduated in June 1945 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Loss
Jack was lost when the A-3D Skyraider he was piloting crashed shortly after a bad catapult shot from USS Ticonderoga (CVA 14) on January 6, 1958, operating in the South China Sea (roughly 14° 15'N, 119° 3'E). His co-pilot and another crewman were also lost.
He is included in the detachment picture of Heavy Attack Squadron (VAH) 2 Det. M from the 1957-58 USS Ticonderoga (CVA 14) WestPac Cruise Book.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
In both April 1939 and April 1940, Jack received a superior rating for his tenor solo at the All-State Chorus. He graduated from Holmes High School in Covington.
At Eastern State Teachers’ College in 1941, he played guard on the football team and was in the Men’s Glee Club and the Northern Kentucky Club. He participated in the All-Kentucky College Chorus concert in May 1941. In July 1941, he sang “Because,” “O Promise Me,” and “Indian Love Call” at the wedding of Dorothy Ann Carroll and Lieut. William Edward Gabbard.
Jack was elected president of his sophomore class, and he participated in the Mathematics Club and baseball.
On June 26, 1949, Jack married Mary Piccardi at the First Methodist Church in Oklahoma City.
In August 1957, Jack rode with pilot Cmdr. James P. Pruitt, Cmdr. Thomas L. Hine and Lt. Bill Trapp on a record-setting flight in a twin jet A-3-D Skywarrior. It flew from Hawaii to California in 4 hours 12 minutes. This was a flight distance of 2,120 nautical miles or 2,438 statute miles. Three other planes made the flight, and after landing at Alameda Naval Air Station, they flew to Whidby Island, home base of their heavy attack Squadron VAH-2.
His father William was a carpenter, mother Nettie, and brother William.
He was survived by his wife, Mary, and three children, Douglas, Elaine, and Barbara. (Information from February 1958 issue of Shipmate.) Unable to find a memory marker, though Jack's Find A Grave page is here.
Photographs
From the yearbook of Eastern State Teachers’ College
From the yearbook of Eastern State Teachers’ College
Related Articles
Edward Kennedy '46 was also a member of 4rd Company.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
