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JOHN REMEMBERED BY A NEIGHBOR

John Camden Soper
March 13, 1947 - August 6, 1967

"Johnny" Soper was a person that once you met him, you could never forget him.
Even now after 35 years I remember his face clearly. He was the type of person
when he walked into a room, everyone would pay attention. You would just feel
good being around him. He was the "All American Boy". He was young, very
handsome, kind, thoughtful and extremely pleasant.

He was the only child of Asa Soper and Vern Camden Soper. I was their next door
neighbor and only ten years old when Johnny died in Vietnam. Johnny loved the
Beatles and the Beach Boys. He had a Collie named Skippy but changed the dog's
name to Ringo. Mr. Soper (Johnny's father) told me that Johnny had actually met
the Beatles when they arrived in New York. After he met them, he changed his
dog's name to Ringo. Johnny was a lifeguard in Midland Beach. I remember him
polishing his surfboard in the yard while the latest tunes were being played on the
radio. He was engaged to Jean Marie Leone and they made a picture perfect looking
couple.

My last memory of Johnny was when he was on leave from the Army just before he
was to go back to Vietman. My mother had just brought my newborn sister from
the hospital. My sister was over 10 pounds and 22 inches long. Johnny picked her
up before my mother could even bring her into the house and was amazed how tall
and healthy she was and how she had a full head of hair. He told my Mom what a
beautiful baby she was and then brought my sister to his home. When his mother
(Mrs. Soper) answered the door, he told her "Mom, look what I got" and his mother
almost fainted thinking the baby was his. Johnny was just so enthusiastic about life
and the world. He was amazing.

Mr. and Mrs. Soper had planted a Christmas tree in their yard while Johnny was
away and said that they would celebrate Christmas when he comes home together.
There was a huge storm and the tree was struck. The next week I saw some
representatives from the Army come to the Soper's house. It was informing them of
Johnny's Death. Mr. Soper, who served in the Navy during WWII, took it very well.
His wife was devastated. She had lost her brother in WWII. They often wondered if
that tree being struck in their yard was an omen.

Johnny is buried in the Moravian Cemetery in Staten Island. His parents are buried
beside him. When Johnny was a young boy he would go for long rides with his Dad.
They once passed the Moravian Cemetery in Staten Island and Johnny told his

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