From the Heart with Ronny Keller Michel

An old woodsman proverb states, “A tree is best measured when it’s down.” Perhaps that is also true of a man, for it is only after death that we can truly take stock of his life.

Allen “Billy” Loupe Sr., a longtime member of Reserve Christian Church, breathed his last breath only days ago at the age of 71. As I reflect upon his life, I cannot help but smile as I recall the gentle man whom I addressed as Mr. Loupe. He was a hard worker who is largely responsible for building the Reserve Christian Church sanctuary, elementary school, and gym. Not many men could keep up with him and few tried.

He was devoted to his family and will be missed by the loved ones he left behind. He was always smiling and would frequently walk up to someone and ask, “You Smiling?” And even if you weren’t, you smiled for him. But besides his smile, I remember that he always carried a Bible under his arm.

I love the story of the first day that he began to read the Bible. While serving in the Navy, he watched fellow sailor stagger into the room onboard the Navy ship to which they were assigned. Exhausted form a night of drinking, Mr. Loupe’s shipmates headed for his bunk. The drunken sailors lifted the only objects separating him from the comforts of his bed, a Bible. Barely glancing at the Book, he tossed it into the garbage can, threw himself on the bed, and fell asleep.

Mr. Loupe could not believe what he had just witnessed. Although he had never before read the Bible, he knew that it did not belong in the trash. Mr. Loupe walked over, picked up the tossed book, and began to read the Bible. It was the beginning of a habit that would last for the next several decades.

Proverbs 10:7 reads, “The memory of the righteous is a blessing.” I am certainly blessed by the memory of Mr. Loupe. He was a sweet man with a contagious smile and a Bible tucked safely under his arm.

Ronny Michel