Don Stroope

Don E. Stroope, 86 of Waxahachie, passed away Thursday, December 8, 2011 at his residence. He was born to the late Garland O. T. and Annie Atkins Stroope on December 15, 1924 in Waxahachie. Don was born and raised in Waxahachie being one of eleven; there were nine boys and two girls. He graduated WISD in 1942 and joined the United States Marine Corps in 1943. Don proudly served our country in the Okinawa/Pacific Campaign during WWII. He was honorably discharged in 1947. Don attended Texas A&M on the GI Bill and graduated in 1950 with a BS in Entomology. Shortly after graduation Don founded Stroope Pest Control which is still serving Waxahachie, Ellis County and the surrounding area today. Don married Joanne and they were married for 55 years and had three children. After Joanne's passing, Don married Waltraud "Wally" and they have been married four years. Don helped create the Texas Pest Control Association (TPCA) and was very proud to call Waxahachie home. He loved and enjoyed hunting, fishing, horse racing, reading, dancing and most of all, helping and teaching others. Don leaves behind a wonderful legacy that will continue for generations to come. He will be greatly missed and continually loved by so many. He is survived by his wife, Waltroud "Wally" Stroope; his sons, Tom Stroope and his wife, Linda, Rob Stroope and his wife, Pat; his daughters, Sybilla Carter and Stephanie McGrath; brothers, Jack Stroope and Oscar Stroope; his sister, Ruby Hayes; his daughter-in-law, Kelly Stroope, wife of Clay; his grandchildren, Rielly and his wife, Cecily, Sydney, Robby, Hayley, Emily and her husband, Jimmie Hester, and Don Clay Stroope, Jr. and his wife, Courtney, Jullian, Sarah and Benjamin; great grandchildren, Clay David, Lucy, Jack and Charlotte. He was preceded in death by his parents, Garland O. T. and Annie Atkins Stroope; his first wife, Joanne Stroope; his son, Donald Clay Stroope, Sr.; his brothers, O. T., James, Jewel, John, Bobby Joe, and Thomas; and by his sister, Dianne Kelsh. Services to celebrate Don's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church, Waxahachie. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, December 12, 2011 at Wayne Boze Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the Texas A&M Foundation; in the memo of your check, please include Don E. Stroope Memorial Endowed Scholarship. Please mail your contribution in Don's name to Mr. Roger Gold, Urban Entomology 2143 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843 www.waynebozefuneralhome.com

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