Thomas M. "Tommy" Loper, Jr.

Mr. Thomas M. "Tommy" Loper, Jr., 74, of Millry, AL passed from this life Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at Wayne General Hospital in Waynesboro, MS. He was born in Repton, AL on Sunday, June 15, 1947 to Thomas M. "Red" Loper, Sr. and Marie Stricklin Loper.

 Mr. Loper was a member of Lighthouse of Living Faith. He retired from Millry High School as an Agriculture Science Teacher for the Washington County Board of Education. Mr. Loper (known to so many as Mr. Tommy or TL) had a profound impact over thousands of children in the Choctaw County and Washington County public school systems for over 34 years. His “boys” (and girls), as he lovingly called them, will never forget the impact he made on their lives daily.  His life lessons (often seemed to take a lifetime for him to tell) made their ordinary school days extraordinary.  His tales would spin out for them, and the students loved the diversion from regular lessons. They only thought they were having fun, when all the time, Mr. Loper was imparting profound life wisdom to their hungry souls. Some of his famous lines include: “If a turtle is on a post, somebody put it there”; “Some people still haven’t learned to spread mayonnaise with a spoon”; “Don’t ‘huh’ me, huh your momma and daddy”; “If you ain’t happy, get happy”; “All you need is a little TLC (Tommy Loper Care)”; and “The rich get richer and the poor get poorer, the smart get smarter and the dumb get dumber”. Perhaps his most famous quote went something like this: “When your outgo exceeds your income, your upkeep will be your downfall.” There are so many other quotes we could share, but time nor space will not allow it. 

 Perhaps Mr. Loper’s greatest love of teaching could be explained with a handful of dirt.  Mr. Loper led 7 teams of his “boys” to State Land Judging Championships, with one Southeastern Championship at the National Competition in Oklahoma.  Mr. Loper and his land judging boys placed in the Top 15 in the nation 3 different times with his 2001, 2006, and 2008 teams. This was an accomplishment he was extremely proud to boast as there are over 400 national teams each year. Tommy Loper would walk into a room filled with over 2000 people, and as if he were a statesmen or famous politician, the land judging coaches and teams would be standing in line to shake his hand.  He was nationally recognized as one of the greatest land judging advocates and coaches to grace the croplands of Alabama, forests of the Deep South, pastures of Oklahoma, and homesites across the nation. When the masses recognized him, his head would visibly swell, and his face would turn cherry red. He was truly a celebrity in his own right.

 There is a bond between Mr. Loper and his boys that can never be severed. The stories of his impact will continue for many years to come.  He was truly one of the greatest educators given to Millry High School.  His impact is legendary; his love for his students is deeper than death.

 Mr. Loper is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas M. "Red" Loper, Sr., and Marie Stricklin Loper. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 23 years, Tina Mills "Belle" Loper; son, Thomas M. "Reese" Loper, III; daughter, Callie Marie Loper all of Millry, AL.

 Visitation for Mr. Loper will be held from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Thursday, January 27, 2022 at Millry High School Gymnasium, 1 Wildcat Drive, Millry, AL 36558. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, January 28, 2022 with a lie-in-state one hour prior to services at Lighthouse of Living Faith, 801 Copeland Buckatunna Road, Millry, AL 36558 with Rev. Ray Odom and Rev. Mark Guy officiating. Interment will be in Shady Grove Cemetery in Millry, AL. Pallbearers are Gideon Odom, Elliot Brown, Jimmy Waite, Keenan Connell, Scott Butler, Russell Price, John Harris, and Art James. Honorary Pallbearers are Curtis Kirkland, Charles Owen, Teddy Taylor, John Carter, Wesley Dixon, Arlie Kimbrell, Josh Brown, and Raiford Brown.