James F. Soper was the son of Richard E. Soper and Mary Ann (Walsh) Soper born in Covington, Ky on July 8,1924. He attended Catholic schools in Covington and completed high school at the college prep school, Covington Latin School. 

He began his WWII military service with the U.S. Army in 1943. James honorably served as Sergeant, HQ Battery, 779th Field Artillery Battalion, Antiaircraft Artillery Division and was stationed in Okinawa in 1945, known as The Last Battle. That same year, he was honorably discharged.

James attended business school after the war and went into retail sales. He met our mother, Beverly Frederick, in 1948 and married in 1950. They raised their first five children in Covington, Ky. In 1962, they moved to Erlanger, where they had two more children for a total of seven: Jim, Rick, Mike, Patricia (Soper) Bungenstock, Deborah(Soper) Davis, Susan (Soper) Doyle and Barbara (Soper) Siles. James and Beverly were also blessed with 19 grand children and over 10 great grandchildren.

James was not the only brave soldier in the family to fight for our country. His uncle, Michael J. Walsh, served as an Army Private in WWI and his brother, Thomas J. Soper, served in the US Army as a Sergeant First Class. His bravery earned him a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.

The Soper family honors their patriotic service to America and proud to be along side of the other brave veterans who served and are part of the Erlanger Salute Program.

Bio provided by Mike Soper

James’ Honor Banner is on display in Erlanger, May – September 2025 – 2027.