Thomas Allen Lopeman

Thomas Allen Lopeman Age: 78 yrs.

Born: Dec. 7, 1944

Died: July 30, 2023 at Prescott VA Hospice

Born on his father’s birthday, Tom grew up in Bellevue, Ohio where he was recognized as an outstanding athlete at Bellevue High School. He was inducted into his High School Hall of Fame in 2010.

Following graduation, he attended Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher on a football scholarship. There he met his future wife Sharon (Bykerk) Lopeman.

Tom proudly served in the USMC from 1966-1969 and was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where he was critically injured after being hit by a Navy vehicle. He rehabilitated his injuries at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego until his honorable discharge in December 1969. Tom continued his education and went on to earn his BA degree in Industrial Arts at Northern Colorado University in Greeley.

His first teaching and coaching position brought him to Buckeye, Arizona and he settled in Phoenix to raise his family. He also taught and coached at Moon Valley High School until health issues caused him to change occupations. After serving as the Southwest Distributer for Porta-John Corporation, Tom trained at the VA Hospital in Prescott for the position of Manual Arts Therapist. However, the position was discontinued, so he helped construct Better-Bilt Aluminum in Prescott Valley. He was the supervisor of the vinyl extrusion section, and later for the tool and die department that took top department awards for three consecutive years.

In order to bring his wife and children to Prescott in the early 80’s, Tom built his own home in Walker, (outside of Prescott). His family organized and taught the Lynx Creek Cloggers for 30 years. During that time, he served as a volunteer pole vault coach at Prescott High School, and he was eventually inducted into the PHS Hall of Fame for his coaching accomplishments. Even with his own successes, Tom’s pride continued to be his children’s achievements in life.

Earning gold medals in the competitions he entered, Tom represented the Northern Arizona VA Hospital while participating in multiple Winter Sports Clinics and Creative Arts Festivals around the nation. There he learned about the paralympic sport of sled hockey. In the year 2000, after having both legs amputated from his injuries sustained while in the Marine Corps, Tom found enjoyment playing for and being an assistant coach for the Coyote Sled Hockey team in Phoenix. He loved being a team member and traveling to tournaments.

Tom inspired so many, loved the young that he taught and coached, had a smile for all, and accomplished things he physically shouldn’t have been able to do with his disabilities. He was a loving- loyal husband and father, and leaves friends all over the world. Predeceased are Tom’s parents Richard and Mary (Martin) Lopeman of Bellevue, Ohio. He is survived by his immediate family, his wife of 56 years Sharon (Bykerk) Lopeman, son Keith Lopeman, daughter Katrina Lopeman, and granddaughter Cyrcee, all of Prescott. Also missing him are his sister Marcia (Bolyard) Wolfe in Michigan and her six adult children; as well as his brother Richard Lopeman (Linda) of ShowLow with their large family; two brother-in-laws and their wives, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and the family’s Dutch exchange student Liesbeth. Even those who never met Tom will sorely miss him-- that was the depth of his smile and personality.

Tom’s remains will be laid to rest in the columbarium at the Prescott National Cemetery, with military honors on Friday, September 22, 2023 at 11:00 AM. The family thanks everyone for their support , many condolences, and cards. There will be an informal gathering at a later date.