Obituary of Mayo Loper

Services for Mayo Loper, 92, of Abernathy, TX, will be held at 1:00 pm Tuesday, April 2, 2024, in the Abernathy Church of Christ with David Bennett, Steve Gauntt and Caleb Hughes officiating. Burial will follow in the Abernathy Cemetery under the direction of Abell Funeral Home & Flower Shop of Abernathy. The family will gather to receive friends at Abell Funeral Home from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm Monday, April 1, 2024. Mr. Loper died at his home in Abernathy, Thursday, March 28, 2024. Mayo was born September 13, 1931 in Cogar, OK to George and Buleah (Edwards) Loper. The Loper family moved to Cotton Center, TX in 1937, where they lived until moving to Fresno, CA when Mayo was 13 years old. In 1947 they returned to Texas and Mayo attended Abernathy High School, graduating in 1949. Following graduation he worked for McAllisters Grocery. February 17, 1951, Mayo married the love of his life, Tijuana Graham in Abernathy. In 1952 Mayo went to First State Bank to secure a loan, and was offered a job. He accepted the job and began his banking career as a book keeper and janitor. He was later promoted to bank cashier and in 1970 was named Vice-President and was appointed to the First State Bank Board of Directors. Mayo was recognized by the Texas Bankers Foundation, in 2020, for serving First State Bank for 68 years. He semi-retired in 2003, at which time he relinquished his administrative duties. The Loper family was active in the Abernathy Church of Christ since 1951. Mayo taught an adult Sunday School Class for 30 years and served as both Deacon and Elder. He also served on the Board of the Abernathy Cemetery Association for many years. He is preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Tijuana Loper, October 12, 2006, 2 sons, James Anthony "Tony" Loper, September 7, 2018 and Douglas Ray Loper, November 20, 2022 and a grandson, Cory Dale Loper, August 2, 1986. Mayo is survived by 2 children, David Loper and wife Judy of Spokane, WA and Judy Gunter of Abernathy, a daughter-in-law, Paulette Loper of Deltona, FL, 10 grandchildren, Damon Loper and wife Laura of Runaway Bay, TX, Dax Loper and wife Latesha of Paradise, TX, Colby Schuler and Jeff Schuler both of Abernathy, Jamie Bowie and husband Brad of Lubbock, TX, Steven Hewett and wife Shabnam of Seattle, WA, Stephanie Howard and husband Jeremy of Spokane, WA, Erich Loper and wife Kayla of Littleton, CO, Ryan Switzer and wife Christine of Debary, FL and Carey Boroczk and husband Keith of West Carrollton, OH, 23 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. The family suggests memorials to the Abernathy Cemetery or to the Cory Dale Loper Music Scholarship at LCU, 5601 19th Street, Lubbock, TX 79407.