Harold Eugene Soper

Harold Soper passed away on December 26, 2021 in Plano, Texas at the age of 96.

He was born in Saginaw, Michigan, the son of William and Clara Soper. He graduated from Midland High School in 1943. Harold was a World War II Veteran who joined the U.S. Naval Reserve in September 1943 and participated in the invasion of Okinawa aboard the USS Drew APA162. He was discharged in May 1946 as a Yeoman Second Class. After military service he attended the Saginaw Business Institute (now Davenport University).

On May 7, 1949 he married Rita Ann Swierzbin at St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church in Bay City, Michigan. They were married for 72 years. Harold and Rita were charter members of St. Helens Church in Saginaw where they first lived. Upon moving to Midland, Michigan they joined Blessed Sacrament Parish. Harold was an usher at Mass for 40 years.

Harold joined the Dow Chemical Company in 1948 in the Education Department and later worked in the Office Methods Department. In 1964 he was assigned the responsibility to develop a worldwide records management program for Dow Chemical. As the program grew successfully worldwide he was promoted from Records Manager to Records Management Associate. He retired in June 1992 with 43 years of service.

In his retirement he enjoyed traveling with his wife and friends, playing golf, cards, and especially billiards at the Barstow-Shipps Senior Center. Special family vacations were spent in Vail, Colorado, at Hilton Head, South Carolina and within Michigan at Boyne Mountain and the Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island. He was a volunteer in the community and enjoyed adding to his license plate collection.

Surviving are his wife, Rita, and daughters Peggy (Terry) Schpok, of Dallas, Texas, Mary (Keith) Maisto, of Portage, Michigan, and Michelle (Bob) Cunningham, of Plano, Texas, grandchildren, Hilary Bierman, Andrea Ross, Kaitlyn Cunningham and Ryan Cunningham, and great-grandsons Asher Bierman, Sam Bierman and Zander Ross. Harold is also survived by sister Louise VanSickle and brother Herman Soper. His brother Oscar Soper predeceased him.

A funeral mass will take place at 11:00 am on Thursday, December 30, 2021 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 5100 W. Plano Pkwy., Plano, Texas 75093. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to Blessed Sacrament Church at www.blessed-midland.org or Midland Senior Services at https://seniorservicesmidland.org/donate/