Edward L. Loper, Jr.

Edward L. Loper, Jr., age 88, of Wilmington, Delaware, passed away at home on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.  He was a lifetime resident of Delaware, born “over the 11th Street Bridge” in Wilmington on December 28, 1934, the second child of Edward and Viola Cooper Loper, Sr.  Edward was preceded in death by his parents, sister Jean Marie Loper Washington, brother Kenneth Lee Loper (Rocky Mount, Virginia), half-sister Mary Elizabeth Loper Brower, and daughter Muriel Loper Cochran.

He is survived by his partner, Connie Kade, three daughters, Deborah Naylor, Jean Loper Warren (Curtis) (Golden Valley, Arizona), Claudine Loper Wyatt, and two sons, Edward Loper III (California City, California) and Jamie Loper.  Mr. Loper has fifteen grandchildren, forty great-grandchildren, and six great-great grandchildren.  Also surviving are sister-in-law Annie Loper (Rocky Mount, Virginia), four nephews James Washington, Jr. “Butchie” (Faye), Jeffrey Washington (Stephanie), Steven Washington (Connie) and Christopher Loper (Brooklyn, New York).  His last surviving first cousin, Richard Allen Williams, M.D. (Encino, California) was a childhood companion also residing on N. Heald Street in Wilmington.

Ed graduated from Howard High School in 1954 and enjoyed maintaining contact with alumni.  He enjoyed many careers, expressing his creativity in many diverse settings: Allied Kid Company, Earnest Reiver, Tupp Signs, Christina Cultural Arts Center, Wilmington High School, and the Port of Wilmington.

Edward built many wonderful long-lasting friendships.  From an early age he enjoyed the outdoors, learning to fish and hunt from older residents in his neighborhood.  Lifetime fishing and hunting companions included George Moody, Rodney Collins, Sr., and William “Billy” Wailes.  Edward was a member of the International Longshoreman’s Association #1694, maintaining contact with union members whom he considered his second family.  He developed friendships with fellow artists who followed the Loper tradition.  Thanks to the encouragement of Ruth Anne Crawford and Marilyn Bauman, Ed applied and was accepted at the Barnes Foundation.  Marilyn Bauman wrote “Not My Dad Edward L. Loper, Jr.’s Creative Odyssey” published in 2019.

Edward Loper Jr. was a self-taught prolific artist creating his unique perspective in the Loper tradition whose career spanned more than six decades.  His paintings are collected by individuals, private corporations (Wilmington Trust, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Christiana Care, Delaware Trust), and museums (Delaware Art Museum, Brandywine River Museum of Art, Biggs Museum of American Art).

Family and friends are invited to honor and celebrate Mr. Loper’s life on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 1:00pm at Christina Cultural Arts Center, 705 N. Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801.

The family has requested no flowers to be sent to the memorial service . In lieu of flowers, please consider donations, in Mr. Loper’s memory, to the Mt. Olive Burial Grounds Foundation, Inc., mailed to Mother African Union Church, 812 N. Franklin Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19806.