James Ivaloy Loper, a longtime Alabama Baptist pastor, died Dec. 27. He was 85.
Loper served his country in the U.S. Army for two years, stationed in Hawaii. After he returned to Alabama, he continued to serve in the Army National Guard for four years.
He responded to God’s call to be a pastor and studied at Baptist Bible Institute (now Baptist University of Florida) in Graceville, Florida. He served in the ministry for 43 years, serving as pastor of a number of churches in Alabama — Kennedy Baptist; Stansel Baptist in Reform; Bethlehem Baptist in Centreville; Four Points Baptist in Centreville; and Carrolls Creek Baptist in Northport; and Pleasant Hill Baptist in Moundville, as well as serving as interim at two churches, Thomas Mill Baptist in Brierfield and Cottondale Baptist, the church where he was ordained.
Loper also served as pastor of churches in Florida and Georgia.
As a bivocational pastor, he also worked full-time jobs outside the church throughout his ministry. He retired from the pulpit in 2005.
Loper is preceded in death by his son, Jonathan. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Judy; sons, Jeff and Brock; three grandchildren and one great-grandson.
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