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July 23, 1929 - September 14, 2015 Born July 23, 1929, in Los Angeles, California, to parents Melvin A. Soper and Lucile G. Soper. Mel enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1947, at age 18. He served in Korea 1952 - 1953 and in Vietnam 1968 - 1969. During his tour in Vietnam, Lt. Colonel Soper operated out of Dong Ha with the Third Marine Division and was instrumental in forming the Marine Corps' electronics surveillance and reconnaissance program, known as Sensor. After Vietnam, Mel supervised security installations for Camp David, Subic Bay Naval Base, Clark Air Force Base, the presidential yacht Sequoia, and Osan Air Force Base. At Camp Lejeune, Mel helped create three Sensor teams, later known as "SCAMP" for three Marine Divisions. Mel served in the Marine Corps 29 years and retired in 1976. Immediately upon retirement, Mel embarked on a second career with several engineering firms working for the Atomic Energy Commission. Mel moved to Richland, Washington where he was placed in charge of designing and maintaining security for five nuclear plants in Hanford, Washington. Mel retired from Hanford in 1993. Mel was married to Nancy Soper from 1954 until Nancy's death in 1993. They are survived by their son, Michael. Mel married Vivian Soper in 1994 and in 1997 they moved to Murrieta, California. Vivian passed away in 2013. Thereafter, Mel moved to Laguna Hills, California, where he resided until his passing on September 14, 2015. Mel is survived by his sister Ginny Sieveke, his brother Walter Soper, his son Michael Soper, and his granddaughter Michelle Kama. He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed. A memorial service will be held October 15, 12:00 p. m at Fairhaven Cemetery, Santa Ana, CA at the Waverly Chapel. Mel will be interred the following day at Riverside National Cemetery, alongside Vivian.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
All my respect to you on this final tribute.
Ken
November 11, 2015
Semper Fi Marine! See you and Chessie one of these days.
Richard Diener
October 18, 2015
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