Class of 1949
1949 Maroon Spotlight
A. J. Chopp
F.T.A. ’47-’49; F.T.A. Vice-President ’48-’49; Visual Education ’47-’48.
1949 Graduation EditionPerry Daily Journal
Albert Joseph Chopp, 18, son of Mrs. Marie L. Chopp of 409 Elm street, is an honor student and is listed in “Who’s Who Amoung Student in America High Schools.”
He is especially interested in chemistry, and photography is his hobby. A. J. is a member of the Future Teachers of America, serving as vice president. He took part in the senior assembly.
Albert Joseph “A. J.” Chopp
February 5, 1931 – March 16, 1985
Albert Joseph “A. J.” Chopp, 54, died of a heart attack early Saturday, March 16, 1985, two weeks after doctors told him he was starting to develop heart trouble.
Born in Perry, Oklahoma on February 5, 1931, he was the son of Joseph Elmer and Marie Louise Busse Chopp. As a senior at Perry high, he received the annual Pi chapter of Delta Kappa Gama of Noble and Logan counties award given to a high school senior who is a member of the Future Teachers of America club and plans to continue his study for that profession in college. A. J. continued his education at Oklahoma A. & M. college, where he was a charter member of Pi Chi fraternity. He received his bachelor of science degree from the school of commerce in May, 1954.
Later that summer A. J. entered active duty in the Air Force as a second lieutenant. On December 23, 1954, he and Phyllis Jean Kelly, were married in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Following his discharge in 1957, he returned to Oklahoma State university to work on his master’s degree.
Just after he earned a master’s degree in education in 1959, he took a teaching job in Garden City. Phyllis also landed a job as an elementary school teacher, and Garden City became home for the couple.
At first, he taught business courses — including shorthand, typing and bookkeeping — at the high school. Later, he began teaching distributive education, guiding his students through their first jobs, usually in retailing and fast-food sales.
In the years that followed, they raised three children. A. J. also sold real estate, grew irises and raised Brittany spaniels.
Survivors include: his wife; son, Kelly, at home; daughters, Kerry Jo Gwynn of Garden City and Korry Jill at home; mother, Marie Chopp of Perry, Okla.; and sister, Carolyn Marie Chopp of Perry, Okla.
A memorial service has been scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Trinity Lutheran Church. Burial will be at the Valley View Cemetery. in Garden City. A memorial fund has been established with the church kindergarten fund.