James C. Soupene Jr.

Lt. Col. James Cecil Soupene, Jr “Jake” (U.S. Army, Ret.). Age 80, died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Loveland, Ohio November 8, 2012 . He was born August 16, 1932, in Moreland, Oklahoma, the son of the late James Cecil and Velma (Hopper) Soupene. He was a graduate of Moreland High School in 1950 and received a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and Military Science from Oklahoma A&M University in 1954. As a ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate he received a direct commission as 2nd Lt. and was assigned Ft. Benning, Ga. After successfully completing Jump, Fixed Wing and Helicopter School he served in Korea, two tours in Vietnam and in Germany as a General’s Pilot. He received the Bronze Star Medal(3), Air Medal(23), Meritorious Service Medal, Purple Heart(3), Presidential Service Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation (4), Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with gold star, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm Device(2). After over 20 years of active duty service he retired and at that time was serving as Battalion Commander Fort Knox, Ky. He returned to his home in Hamilton, Ohio where he went to work in the private sector where he was Vice President of Citizens Bank, Director of Marketing at Berkeley Square Retirement Community, Real Estate Agent and Security Officer for the Lodge Retirement Community. He was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel, was member and past president of Hamilton Rotary Club, past president of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, past president of Zion Lutheran Church Council, served on the board of Greenwood cemetery as president, member of the advisory board for the Salvation Army, Past Master of the Masonic Camp Knox Lodge and member of the Scotish Rites Masons. He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary A. Soupene(Winkler). His sister, Shirley(Greg) Bingham of Branson, MO; brother, George Leon Soupene(Dixie) of Freedom, OK, Three Children Jenny(Todd) Callewaert of Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, James C. Soupene III of Long Beach, CA, Mark(Angela) Soupene of Loveland, OH, Grandchildren Andrew and William Callewaert, Claire, Michael and Anna Soupene, nieces & nephews. Family and friends will be received at HODAPP FUNERAL HOME, 8815 Cincinnati Columbus Rd. West Chester, OH 513-777-8433, Wednesday 5-7 p.m. Services will be celebrated Thursday at 10 a.m. at HODAPP Funeral Home, followed by a burial with full military honors at Spring Grove Cemetery. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made in Lt. Col. Soupene’s memory to the League for Animal Welfare, Batavia, OH 513/735-2299 or a charity of your choosing.