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Cleda Ann Loper was born Feb. 6, 1938 in Shidler, Oklahoma, the only child of Cled and Sarah “Betty” (Pugh) Loper. Her family moved to Powell when she was 10 and her father got a job working at Elk Basin. After her graduation from Powell High School in 1956, she entered the United States Air Force. She served in Germany, Turkey, Hawaii, as well as stateside locations for the next 20 years and retired in 1978.
Cleda then returned to Powell and worked at McGlathery’s, True Value and at the bowling alley. She also delivered Meals on Wheels for many years. In her spare time, she enjoyed camping with her four-legged “kids” — she LOVED her dogs, woodworking and bowling (she wrote the “House Mouse” articles for the bowling league published in the Powell Tribune for number of years). A highlight of each year was attending the annual Women of the Air Force Association Conventions, which were held at different locations. She enjoyed visiting with her many friends from the service and traveling to new places. Cleda organized the event held in Park County.
A highlight of recent years was to attend the Hot Air Ballon Festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico with friends from Powell. Cleda was very independent, and yet observant and willing to give to those in need. She was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church.
Cleda Ann Loper went to her heavenly home July 15, 2024, at the age of 86, after a brief stay at New Horizons Care Center in Lovell. Cleda was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her special four-legged companion Arf, many long-time friends including Mary Fagan, Sandee Whiteman, Patty Startin and her church family. A celebration of Cleda’s life will be held on (tentative) Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 10 a.m. at the First Southern Baptist Church of Powell, Monroe and Madison streets, followed by interment at Crown Hill Cemetery with full military honors. Because of her love for dogs, Cleda wished that donations would be made to the Powell Animal Shelter in lieu of flowers.
