Arthur Vincent Stopper

Arthur (Sonny) Vincent Stopper, age 91, went to meet his Lord on December 7, 2024 after passing away peacefully at home. Art loved his family, nature, traveling, reading, dogs and learning new skills and information. Those who met him described him as a gentle soul and gentleman. This spirit caused dogs and people, especially children, to be drawn to him. Art always wanted to be helpful in life.

Art was born August 17, 1933 in Williamsport, PA and grew up with the beauty of the Susquehanna River and Bald Eagle Mountains at his doorstep. Art played sports and the saxophone in high school. Musically inclined, he joined a band playing saxophone, clarinet and trumpet for dances. He also loved singing his whole life to the songs of his youth. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Duquesne University and later a Master of Science Degree from Incarnate Word College. After college he proudly served in the United States Army 1956-1962 as a Sgt Medical Instructor. He received the Good Conduct Medal. Art settled in San Antonio, TX after being stationed at Fort Sam Houston Army Base and preferring the warmer climate and meeting his future wife Senaida Obregon who was also stationed at Fort Sam. 

Art enjoyed a 30 year career as a Science teacher; 25 at Sam Houston High School. He enjoyed taking his family to the H.S. football games. Art was a sports enthusiast and would attend the Spurs games with his family. He was a CYO baseball coach for his son Art and grandson Paul and for years coached his daughters’ CYO softball team until they were in high school. Art was a member of St. Benedict’s and Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Selma) Catholic Churches. He was service minded and as a member of their Knights of Columbus service organization did charitable works. He ministered inmates; marched in the Right To Life; taught catechism to RCIA students; worked as a Voting Official and taught English in Poland. As a 

Member of ALIR (Academy of Learning in Retirement) for over 20 years, he was also a volunteer teacher. He enjoyed being with other ALIRians and learning new artistic styles. 

After retiring, Art traveled to Asia (China to Mongolia to Russia via the Camel Caravan on the Silk Road, Europe and Hawaii. Art visited the town in Germany where his Stopper ancestors hailed from in 1844. He was able to meet up with distant cousins there who were thrilled to meet him. Art traveled to PA frequently throughout his lifetime to visit his Mother and family and took his family to visit iconic sites in the Eastern U.S. during these trips from New York’s Niagara Falls to Pennsylvania's nature areas to Philadelphia’s Independence Hall and Liberty Bell to NYC’s Statue of Liberty Bell to DisneyWorld to Virginia’s Hungry Mother State Park and it’s Molly’s Knob Trail. As a father, Art worked 2 jobs when his children were small so Mom could stay at home caring for them; sent them to private Catholic schools; spent time camping and traveling with them; taught them to work hard, be respectful and responsible and to love nature and animals.

Art is preceded in death by his Beloved parents Arthur Edward Stopper and Virgie Adora Green; his sisters Fay Smith (Howard), Eileen Lowry (Edward), Natalie (Honey) Forsburg (Richard); nephew Richard (Dick) Rhian (Eileen) and other PA/New Jersey nieces and nephews.

Art is survived by his Dear friend Jeanette Lowell; children Arthur E Stopper (Judith), Elizabeth Jordan, Mary Stopper, James Stopper (Letty); grandchildren Paul Hernanez, Stephen Graham (Monica), Marcos Tapia, Jessica Wittig (Andrew), David Stopper (Amie), Eric Stopper (Kamali'i), Jonathan Jordan (Katie), Matthew Jordan (Justina); great grandchildren Alyssa, Andrea, Azalea, Philip, Violet, Benjamin, Peter, Caleb, Deacon, Scarlett, Grayson, Callum, Nathan, Nicholas, Ariana, Elias; and numerous nieces, nephews, great and great great nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to Art’s caregivers.