Thomas E. Loop
Survived by his daughters Caroline and Connie
Thomas Edward Loop was born on January 19, 1921, in Miami, Ohio to Elsa Ann Main and Fred Loop. In all, there were a total of nine kids in the family, four boys and five girls. Gracie, the youngest girl, died at age 18. By 1930, the family had moved to Florida. The two brothers, Tom and John, entered the service together just like their father Fred who had also served in the Army with his brother. It explains why Tom's father is listed on his registration card as a veteran. Around the time of his registration, his sister Gracie, only 18 years old, died. Tom served as a part of Company "F" out of Haines City, Florida. After the war, Tom married Lorraine B. Valentine; they were married for 65 years. They had three children, two girls and a boy. Unfortunately, their son died at age 21. Tom's wife, Lorraine passed away in 2011 at the age of 84 and was buried in Byesville, Ohio. Tom died in 2012, at the age of 91 and was buried next to Lorraine.
Tom's WW2 Draft Card
Tom's Obituary
LOOP, Thomas, 91, of Spring Hill, FL, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 31, 2012. He was born in Piqua, OH to Rev. Fred and Elsa Loop. Thomas was a Master SGT in the Army Aircorps during WWII as a bomber mechanic. He was a heavy equipment operator and a stock car driver. Thomas was a Deacon at Sunlake Baptist Church of Lutz and was a lifetime member of Operating Engineers Local 18. He is preceded in death by the love of his life, Lorraine and their son, Tommy. He is survived by his two daughters, Carolin and Connie, brother Johnny, four sisters, Ester, Gertrude, Flo, and Lilly, four grandchildren, Billy, Carolin, Cory, and Ryan, six great grandchildren, Brittany, Ashley, Amber, Kelsey, Austin, and Janice, and one great great grandson, Talan. A funeral service will take place at 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 5th at the Sunlake Baptist Church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. His final resting place will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Byesville, OH.
The 337th Squadron was the home of the Rum Boogie Crew. Notice that by the time of this picture, Tom had become a ground crew chief (he is in the front row on the right).