Eddie was born on 7/25/1919 and after his mother's death in 1922, was adopted by Jess Bopp. He had a number of dogs as a boy at 301 S. Harris.
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He attended IPS School #50 and Washington High School on the National Road. He was drafted in the first peacetime draft in the history of the US in early summer 1941. On 12/7/1941 he was guarding the water tower at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri with his shared .45 pistol.
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He spent most of the war in the Aleutian Islands off the coast of Alaska. He was granted leave to marry his childhood sweetheart Thelma on 10/14/1944. Here with Thelma, Gertie and his dad Jess.
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He had two sons, Eddie Jr. born in 1947 and John Jess born in 1952.
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He worked almost 30 years at Allison's Division of General Motors Plant #5 on S. Tibbs Ave. When the neighborhood high school won the State Basketball tournament he was proud that his son won the Trester Award for Mental Attitude.
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Mr. Bopp had two grandchildren, Eddie Tom born in 1965 and Monica Sue born in 1970.
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Family celebrations (up to 13 birthday parties yearly) and holidays were always a joy.
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Vacations were anticipated with his wife of almost 50 years.
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Just a few months before his death he vacationed at Panama City Beach. Shown here with his eldest son.
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Edward was always proud of his dad, Jess who died 11/27/1945.
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