John Rollin Looper
John Looper Obituary
OBITUARY
EASTERN NEW MEXICO NEWS: Yes PICTURE: Yes
John R. Looper, 80
John Rollin Looper of Portales, passed from this life early Monday morning, July 7, 2025 at his home at the age of 80. Mr. Looper was born Mar. 27, 1945 in Aubrey, TX to the home of Angie Lee (Denning) and William Benton Looper.
Soon after he was born, his father relocated the family to Belen, NM. Mr. Looper grew up there and graduated from Belen High School in 1963. He immediately went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad, and worked his way up in the company to the position of Conductor.
It was on July 17, 1965 in Belen that he was married to Loretta Beck. They made their home in Belen until 1972, when they moved to Portales. Mrs. Looper preceded him in death on Sept. 2, 2003.
Following his retirement in 2005, he did some traveling with his family. In later years he enjoyed doing some woodworking and going fishing in the Pecos River. He also liked to work in his yard, but mostly he stayed at home and watched television. He enjoyed Harry Potter movies and Christmas movies. For variety he watched various cooking shows. Mr. Looper also enjoyed eating, especially ice cream.
He is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Frances and Michael Moore and Shawna and Dent McGill both of Portales and Johnanna and Todd Preston who live in Italy; six grandchildren, Josh, Shalea and Payton Moore, John-Hayden and Brayden McGill and Haylee Porath; and five great-grandchildren, Addisyn and Branson Moore, Wyatt Parks and Oaklyn and Owen Porath. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Charles Looper and Harold Robertson and a sister, Charlene Edwards Haman.
No formal services are planned.
Arrangements are under the direction of Wheeler Mortuary of Portales. 575-356-4455, wheelermortuary.net
SUBMITTED BY: WHEELER MORTUARY OF PORTALES, INC., P.O. BOX 116, PORTALES, NM 88130
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