Colonel (Ret.) Vernon Lee Looper, 85 of Arlington, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2018. He was born on October 19, 1932 in Mart, Texas to Virgil Looper and Rosaline Boling Looper. Vernon married Mary Louise Birdwell in December 1954 and they celebrated 63 years of marriage together before his passing.
Vernon was a proud graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, receiving his Bachelor's in Business Administration in 1958. Vernon proudly served his country in the US Air Force and as an USAF Reservist, flying with the 433rd Military Airlift Wing, Kelly Air Force Base. He served during Vietnam, and later as the director of operations at the USAF Commissary Headquarters and as Commander in Chief for the Atlantic Joint Service. Vernon loved to play poker and gamble, golf, hunt, read, do jig-saw puzzles, jog, and eat Blue Bell ice cream. After retirement, he also enjoyed volunteering at many events, including the Valero Texas Open. Vernon and his wife were long-time, faithful members of Shearer Hills Baptist Church, San Antonio, and he was not afraid to share his love for the Lord. Vernon's greatest pride was his wife and family, where he dedicated his time to making sure Lou was taken care of and that he was always there to support their children. Vernon's family and friends will miss him greatly for his loving, caring, and generous heart.
Vernon is survived by his wife, Lou; children Janda Hairston and husband Bill, Debra Otness and husband Scott, and Greg Looper; grandchildren Alison Reams and husband Rusty, Colin Hairston and wife Mallory, Tyler Hairston and wife Megan, Emily Bernhard and husband Liam, Thomas Otness, and Anna Otness; great grandchildren Ethan Reams, Audrey, Peter, Kate, and Lily Hairston. Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Rulaine Pittman, and his sister Frances Imogene Gibson and her husband James.
Visitation Monday, August 20 from 6-8PM at Moore Bowen Road Funeral Home, Arlington, Texas. Funeral service at 11AM on Tuesday, August 21, also at the funeral home. Interment will follow at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.
