Sunday's Internet Edition, May 11, 2008.
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Memorial service will be held today at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Thomasville.
Lopp, who served three terms on city council from 1977-85 and 1989-93, dedicated most of his life to serving his community and his country. A decorated World War II veteran, he spent time in Germany and France, as his units captured Nurenberg, Schweinfort, Munich and Warsburg. After leaving the military, Lopp returned home to his wife, Clarice Davis Lopp. A Lexington native, Lopp loved Thomasville, which is where he and his wife Clarice lived since marrying.
In addition to serving on council, Lopp was a member of the Thomasville Civitan Club for 43 years, in which time he had perfect attendance. Active in local politics, he served as the chairman for the Davidson County Republican Party for two years — being named to the Republican Hall of Fame — and also served as Republican Precinct Judge and on the Davidson County Board of Election.
He retired from W.F. Mickey Body Company after 35 years, and was an active member of First Baptist Church in Thomasville.
Former Councilman Thurston Bowman, who served six years on council, recalled his time working with Lopp.
“I enjoyed working with him on the council,” Bowman said. “He was certainly a very conscientious person and very much interested in Thomasville.”
Bowman also noted Lopp’s commitment to the citizens of the Chair City.
“He had a high level of integrity in serving the city, and his focus was always on what was best for Thomasville,” he said. “He worked hard to accomplish his goals. In my book I rate him very highly from the standpoint of his desire to serve the people. He was a true benefit to the community.”
Clarice, who survives of the home, has similar memories of her husband’s level of dedication to public service.
“Sometimes when people go on councils or commissioner boards, they forget about who put them in office. He never forgot. He’d always say, ‘I won’t vote only anything until I’ve checked it out.’”
One of the qualities she admired the most about her husband, was that he was a very likable person who always had a kind word to say.
“If he had an enemy ever, I haven’t found it,” she said with admiration. “He was everybody’s friend.”
Despite having endured many personal tragedies, with the loss of both a son and a daughter, it was the couple’s love for each other that helped them through those difficult times.
“We were able to lean on each other through any loss,” Clarice said. “We had 66 years together and that’s great ... but, if it’s a good marriage, losing your mate hurts.”
Editor Lisa Wall can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 229, or at editor@tvilletimes.com.