Russell (Rusty) Kirby Looper
Russell (Rusty) Kirby Looper, 61, of Holliday, passed away with his family by his side, on Tuesday, Feb. 22, in Dallas.
Visitation was held from 6 until 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 28 at Lunn’s Colonial Funeral home. Services were at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1, at First Baptist Church of Holliday with Rev. Darryl Sewell officiating. Interment will follow at Crestview Memorial Park under the direction of Lunn’s Colonial Funeral Home.
The third of four sons, Rusty was one of the “Looper Boys”, arriving on July 10, 1960 to Lyndall Jo and Jackie Looper in Cleburne. He attended Cleburne ISD, and enjoyed participating in baseball, football, and rodeo. He enjoyed many sports and activities, and often recounted the stories of having a brother playing on each of the four baseball fields at the same time. At one point the boys’ parents both remarried, and they were blessed with an even larger family, adding a sister and two more brothers.
Rusty married Julie (Baggett) on Jan. 26, 1983. Rusty and Julie were blessed in many ways in their 39 years of marriage, with the greatest being their two sons, Ryan Kirby and Ramsey Kyle Looper. Rusty was a loving father, with high expectations for his sons, and an unwavering depth of support for everything they ventured to do in life. He loved spending his time with them, whether it be on the field coaching their little league football or baseball, being behind the chute pulling a rope at the rodeo or hollering from the stands at the band contests. He enjoyed teaching them to hunt, fish, and raise their animals for the livestock shows.
Although being a husband and father was a great joy for him, his greatest blessings called him “Pops”. His granddaughter Railey, and grandson Ryder, were his pride and joy. Pops and LooLoo enjoyed cheering them on from the stands for all their sports and activities, as well as playing make believe, enjoying the theater, camping, and vacation adventures.
Rusty worked in various occupations throughout his years to support and provide for his family, from driving a truck in the oil and gas industry to apartment maintenance. He has been loyally employed in the propane industry for the past 28 years by Kelly Propane. He served on the Archer County Jr. Livestock Show Board, was a member of the Holliday First Baptist Church, and a Holliday Eagle Fan through and through.
Rusty was a Christian, and a devoted family man that loved ranching, hunting, fishing, golfing, coaching, and spending time with his family and friends. We were very thankful for our son Ryan’s ability to be his transplant donor. Although his bone marrow transplant in March 2021 was successful, his body succumbed to lung damage from pneumonia and infections he battled since December.
Rusty was preceded in death by a son, Ramsey Looper; his father and stepmother Jackie and Janice Looper, his mother and stepfather Lyndall Jo (Looper) and A.C. Elliott; father-in-law Milford Baggett; siblings, Rickey Looper, Rhonda Looper, Ron Looper, and A.C. (Skip) Elliott; and nephew Matlock Baggett.
Rusty is survived by wife Julie (Baggett) Looper of Holliday, son Ryan and wife, Sylvia Looper of Holliday, grandchildren Railey and Ryder Looper; brothers Randy and wife, Sue Looper of Grandview, Texas; Roby and wife, Pam Looper of Grand Prairie, Texas; many nephews, nieces, cousins and extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the following: Archer County Jr. Livestock Association PO Box 1731 Archer City TX 76351, Holliday First Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 687 Holliday TX 76366, or Be the Match Foundation, bethematchfoundation.org,
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lunnscolonial.com.
