Harold Soper
May 27, 1937 - April 11, 2021
Obituary
Harold Eldred Soper, age 83, of Montrose, passed away on Sunday April 11, 2021 surrounded by family, in Saginaw at Ascension St. Mary's Hospital. The son of Arthur and Marie Soper, Harold was born on May 27, 1937, in Flint, Michigan.
Growing up on Lake Fenton, Harold was an accomplished swimmer and spent much of his free time fishing and golfing, activities he would continue to love and excel at his entire life. After graduating, Harold followed in the footsteps of his Father and Brother, proudly serving his country in the United States Navy. As an Aviation Electronics Technician / Aircrewman (AT/NAC), he “flew the barrier” with Airborne Early Warning Squadron's 13 and 15 sharing time between Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, and Naval Station Argentia, Newfoundland. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, Harold returned home to Michigan marrying the love of his life, Joyce - and began his 47-year career as an electrician, retiring from the skilled trades at Delphi (formerly GM/AC Delco) in 2007. He loved family, golf, hunting, fishing and playing cards (and not necessarily in that order!). Harold's entire family has many warm memories of weekends spent at Grandma and Grandpa's where the grandkids were spoiled with Grandpa's famous Sunday morning pancakes.
Harold is survived by his children; Dan Soper and wife Debbie, Kelly Hodges, Jeff Soper and wife DeeAnn, Brian Soper and wife Tammy, and daughter-in-law Judy Soper; grandchildren Megan Hodges, Nina Florian and husband Chris, Chelsea English and husband Nick, Michael Soper, Joe Soper, Brison Soper, Shelby Parker, Crystal Hurd-Kurotori and husband Alan, and Jeff Hurd; great grandchildren Carson, Brandon, Ellie, Leo, Alex, Logan, and Annika; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Harold also leaves behind a much cherished “Euchre Family” that traveled mid-Michigan daily, playing cards somewhere. He really missed that part of his life this past year.
He was preceded in death by Joyce, his wife of 51 years, and their son Tony; brother Bob, and sister Maggie.
Cremation has taken place and a private memorial service with military honors will be held for Harold at a later date.
The family wishes memorial contributions be made to the ALS Therapy Development Institute, in loving memory of Harold's son Tony, who courageously fought ALS.
For information, please contact Fischer Family Funeral Services at (989) 755-8277. To express your condolences, please visit www.fischerfuneral.com
Growing up on Lake Fenton, Harold was an accomplished swimmer and spent much of his free time fishing and golfing, activities he would continue to love and excel at his entire life. After graduating, Harold followed in the footsteps of his Father and Brother, proudly serving his country in the United States Navy. As an Aviation Electronics Technician / Aircrewman (AT/NAC), he “flew the barrier” with Airborne Early Warning Squadron's 13 and 15 sharing time between Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, and Naval Station Argentia, Newfoundland. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, Harold returned home to Michigan marrying the love of his life, Joyce - and began his 47-year career as an electrician, retiring from the skilled trades at Delphi (formerly GM/AC Delco) in 2007. He loved family, golf, hunting, fishing and playing cards (and not necessarily in that order!). Harold's entire family has many warm memories of weekends spent at Grandma and Grandpa's where the grandkids were spoiled with Grandpa's famous Sunday morning pancakes.
Harold is survived by his children; Dan Soper and wife Debbie, Kelly Hodges, Jeff Soper and wife DeeAnn, Brian Soper and wife Tammy, and daughter-in-law Judy Soper; grandchildren Megan Hodges, Nina Florian and husband Chris, Chelsea English and husband Nick, Michael Soper, Joe Soper, Brison Soper, Shelby Parker, Crystal Hurd-Kurotori and husband Alan, and Jeff Hurd; great grandchildren Carson, Brandon, Ellie, Leo, Alex, Logan, and Annika; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Harold also leaves behind a much cherished “Euchre Family” that traveled mid-Michigan daily, playing cards somewhere. He really missed that part of his life this past year.
He was preceded in death by Joyce, his wife of 51 years, and their son Tony; brother Bob, and sister Maggie.
Cremation has taken place and a private memorial service with military honors will be held for Harold at a later date.
The family wishes memorial contributions be made to the ALS Therapy Development Institute, in loving memory of Harold's son Tony, who courageously fought ALS.
For information, please contact Fischer Family Funeral Services at (989) 755-8277. To express your condolences, please visit www.fischerfuneral.com
Events
There are no events for Harold yet.
Photos
No photos of Harold have been shared yet.
Memories
DB
DONNA BLANKINSHIP
Other •
WONDERFUL MAN
TF
Tony Ferrante
Other •
We really enjoyed golfing with Harold prayers for your families Hugs and Love heart Tony,Chuck,Art I’m sure you’re enjoying being United with your loving wife Joyce and your son Tom
RT
Robert Tobias
Other •
so sorry to hear about Harold a great guy worked and played with him always had a grand time with him as I said so sorry --toby
LJ
Leslee D Jakeway
Other •
I am saddened to learn of Harold's passing. I am a member of his euchre family. I played cards at several locations with him. He was always there early, loved playing and enjoyed everyone. I never heard him say a bad word about any player although I know they didn't play the way he would have liked. Harold was very friendly, kind and always smiling - just like in his picture. He will be surely missed by all.
VC
Vern Cooper
Other •
Harold and I met at AC Spark Plug in the early 1980's. We worked together also traveling to Bremen, Indiana on the weekends working for Blata Electric for about 1 1/2 years. Harold was a stand up kind of guy. He worked hard and played hard too. He would tell me stories of his military days and also of his days living around Lake Fenton where he fished and played sports with several of my uncles from that area. Harold was a good sport, and a sensible guy. We affectionately called him by the nickname "The Klingon" a reference to the Star Trek other worldly characters. Harold taught many a young apprentice how to throw a great water bomb shot...the "rag shot", done expertly with a finger cot filled with cold water and a red shop towel for a sling. Harold was proud of his family too. I heard stories of his sons and lobstering off the Atlantic Coast too. Great memories. Sad to hear of his passing.
Very blessed to have called him a friend.
Vern Cooper
LF
LAWRENCE FRAME
Other •
As Vern Cooper has stated, I met Harold at AC and have many good memories of him. He loved to tell stories and I loved listening to them. Many of them were about his childhood, many about his children, and family, and many about the experiences he had had on the job over the years. I also played cards with Harold many times, he had the unique ability to be dealing out a hand of euchre or rummy and stop and take a few seconds nap and start back up never missing a beat, and then say he wasn't sleeping, just resting. I met Harold's son Jeff when he came to play cards at our Thursday night card game. Enjoyed their banter.
Harold loved to play golf, and joined in with a group that I played with, went on a few outings and usually carried more than his weight. And when he beat you on a hole, he never bragged, just got a wry smirk on his face.
Sad to have him pass but glad for all the enjoyment we have had.
Larry Frame