Antone “Tony” Soper

A Rosary and visitation for Antone “Tony” Soper, 83, Lawrence, will be held at 6:00pm  on Friday, December 15, 2023, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.  Memorial mass will be Saturday, December 16 ^th , at 10:00am at Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Lawrence.  Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery at 2:30pm in Junction City, KS. Tony passed away Sunday, December 10, 2023, at The Windsor of Lawrence.

Tony was born on April 6, 1940, in Manhattan, KS the son of James Milton and Edna G. (Picolet) Soper.

He was a was a High School teacher for 30 plus years mostly at Newton High School in Newton.  During retirement he was a substitute teacher at Lawrence.  He graduated from Junction City High School in 1958. He received his bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University and his master’s at Emporia State University.

He was a member of the St. John’s Catholic Church, and before that a member of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Newton.   He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus, was a Boy Scout leader, coached Park and Recreation baseball, and was proud to coach the Newton High Chess Club.  One year he took the chess team to the state.  In addition, Tony was a negotiator for the KNEA association for yearly contracts.  It was his honor to work towards the promise of public education for all and to support his colleagues.  Tony’s overall philosophy for teaching was to be available for the students and to teach straight forward what was to be tested.

Tony loved being with family and allowed granddaughters to include him when they got mermaid tails. Tony loved his pets, watching KC Chiefs, gaining new knowledge through the internet, and taking care of his plants.  His favorite Christmas movie was A Christmas Story.

He married Leila Caldwell on August 17, 1963, at St. Xavier Catholic Church in Junction City, KS. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include his daughter, Cheryl (Ty) Hicklin, two sons, James Soper and Steve (Trudy) Soper, one brother Stan (Carla) Soper, four granddaughters: Jedzia Hicklin, Mariana Hicklin, Savannah Soper and Norah Soper.

The family suggests memorials in Tony’s name to Catholic Charities and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.