Michael Ray Soper

Michael Ray Soper, a physician, healthcare executive, military officer, and devoted friend and family man, passed away on August 18, 2026, after a life distinguished by service and leadership. His ability to connect with people and his kindness to others will be long remembered. Born in Independence, Missouri, Michael was the son of Ernest Ray Soper and Selma Anne Drigalla Soper. He pursued an exceptional academic career, graduating magna cum laude from Harvard Medical School and earning his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1968. His commitment to service extended to the United States Army. He served from June 1971 until July 1973. He served as a biomedical consultant to the U.S. Army in a research and development initiative focused on advancing healthcare delivery at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. After serving 2 years as Medical Director of a group practice in Rochester, NY, Mike turned his attention to transforming healthcare in the private sector, founding Prime Health, a staff-model health maintenance organization. His career continued through increasingly prominent leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer of AvMed, a nonprofit HMO in Florida; National Medical Director for Cigna in Hartford, Connecticut; and Executive Vice President of Advocate Health Care in Oak Brook, Illinois. Throughout his professional life, Mike combined medical expertise with a vision for improving how healthcare was organized and delivered. His work left a meaningful mark on the organizations he served and on the many colleagues and patients who benefited from his leadership. He married Ann Taylor in 1993, retired in 1999, and began a life that included traveling to see solar eclipses from Siberia to Libya to Australia and other interesting places in the world. He enjoyed scuba diving, singing with Voices of Naples, playing tennis, and serving as president of the Harvard Club of Lee County for several years. He went to great effort to see all grandnieces and grandnephews during their first year of life. He is survived by his wife Ann, his children Emily Soper and Jonathan Soper, and his granddaughters Caroline and Charlotte Soper. He is also survived by his siblings, Linda Soper; Philip Soper and his wife, Kate; Felicia Davis; David Soper and his wife, Nola; as well as Sherry Morain, former spouse and mother of his children; and many beloved nieces and nephews. His family remembers him not only for his remarkable professional accomplishments, but also for the relationships he built and the lives he touched along the way. One of his defining characteristics was his sense of humor, which will be long remembered by all he met along the way. His legacy will endure through his family, his contributions to healthcare, and the example he set through a life devoted to service, leadership, and compassion. A Celebration of Life will be held from 2-4 pm on Sunday, September 6 at the Pelican Landing Community Center, 24501 Walden Center Dr., Bonita Springs, FL. To sign his guest register or leave online condolences please visit www.shikanyfuneralhome.com Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home Family Owned and Operated Since 1978 is in charge of arrangements

Michael Ray Soper

July 18, 1943 - August 18, 2026