Jewel Stroope

Visitation:
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
6:00 PM until 8:00 PM
Wayne Boze Funeral Home
1826 W. Hwy. 287 Business
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Service:
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
2:00 PM
Ferris Heights Methodist Church
108 Center St.
Waxahachie, TX 75165

Jewel Edward (J.E.)Stroope
Born August 3, 1928
Died October 17, 2005

Jewel Edward Stroope, 77, our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend left to be with his Lord on October 17, 2005
Jewel was preceded in death by his wife Mary Lou Prather Stroope, by his parents G.O. and Annie Stroope and by his brothers James, Bobby Joe and John Stroope all of Waxahachie. He is survived by daughter, Karon Stroope Jacobs and her husband Les Jacobs of Waxahachie, a son Bruce Edward Stroope of Shreveport, Louisiana, grandchildren Laura and husband Todd Capehart of Waxahachie, grandsons Chad Edward Stroope and Jeramy Alan Stroope of Shreveport, Hayden and Rachael Jacobs of Richardson, great-grandchildren Britni and Tristan Capehart of Waxahachie, Nathan Scott and Zachary Scott Jacobs of Richardson and the newest addition Bryson Alan Stroope of Shreveport.
Jewel is also survived by his brothers O.T. Stroope of Garland, Texas, Don, Oscar and Jack Stroope of Waxahachie, sisters Ruby Hayes of Waxahachie and Dianne Kelch of Ennis, Texas, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.
Jewel had a very special place in his heart for Waxahachie. He was not only born and schooled here, but married his lifetime sweetheart, and they raised two children together here in Waxahachie.
Jewel was born to be an inquisitive self-made individual. Too young for World War II and too married with kids for Korea, Jewel instead began a career as a commercial beekeeper as did the rest of his brothers, except for Don, who chose to exterminate insects rather than raise them.
Now, briefly this profession involves moving hives of bees from A to Z following flowering plants, crops, etc. First he worked in Ellis County, then feeling the need to travel; he took the family and the bees on a trip to Nebraska and South Dakota.
While working bees in Nebraska, Jewel and the family made long term friends. Jewel and his family took several trips back to see friends in Nebraska. Settling into the routine, Jewel developed many new friendships. After a while, Jewel followed some of his friends and joined the Masons an affiliation which he maintained all of his life. Oh yes, by the way, he did bring his bees back from Nebraska.
These long range trips with the bees ended in the mid 60's when Jewel and family moved into their new home in Waxahachie.
Firmly back in Waxahachie, Jewel opened his honey house up again and started gathering honey. He took bees all over Texas. Since the bee business, had some slack time, Jewel took his driving skills on the road-first, driving 18 wheelers for Central Freight Lines. He did this so well that Central made him terminal manager in the Waxahachie office. After a time, Jewel left Central to expand his bee business. Jewel did one more stint of long hauling for Waxahachie-based Dart Container.
Then there was Jewel the tinkerer. You see in the bee business, you don't buy new all the time-you invent it or you fix it. Jewel was a master fixer. He could have had a seven day a week job fixing his business, his vehicles, his house, other relatives problems or hard-to-fix machinery (like wheel barrels).
As he made time, other interests and skills were evident. All card games and dominoes were his passion. If it got quite more than 15 minutes, you knew you could find Jewel playing cribbage, or slapping down dominoes. Brothers O.T. and Jack Wayne and wives were constant bridge buddies. Plus Jewel and Mary played bridge all over Waxahachie for many years.
Towards the end of the 90's, Jewel started going to the "Office" on a daily basis. No, I don't mean wearing a three piece suit and briefcase. I mean the domino office where real men played dominoes. Jewel especially like the fact that he was called "Youngster" by all the other players.
The family was a partying group-barbeques with bring-a-dish and gallons of tea were staples of Jewel's life even before being married. As his family grew, we all looked forward to Mother's Day, Easter, Fourth of July, and Christmas parties. These would have not been as enjoyable without extensive help from Sisters Ruby, Dianne, and Brothers Oscar and John. Jewel also enjoyed the extended family reunions in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
As meticulous with his religion as he was with his other interests, Jewel lived a life of service for our Lord. He became a lay preacher, taught adult Sunday school classes, and spent extra time researching various books of the Bible. He became so proficient that arguments on specific questions ended up with Jewel providing the answers…as usual.
Life never promised to be fair…it just gives us a trip through this world. Fortunately, Jewel Edward Stroope will not be in a long line in Heaven because there is a shining need for a Christian Husband, Father, Brother, Friend, and Beekeeper. Goodbye J.E., we do and will forever love you.
On October 18, 2005 from 6-8 p.m., the family will receive friends and relatives at Wayne Boze Funeral Home, 1826 W. Hwy. 287, Waxahachie, Texas. The Celebration of Life will be October 19, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at Ferris Heights Methodist Church with Rev. John Shipman and Bro. Ira Pinkston officiating. Grandsons and nephews will be pallbearers. Interment will follow in the Waxahachie City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the memory of Jewel at Ferris Heights United Methodist Church, 108 Center, Waxahachie, Texas 75165.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wayne Boze Funeral Home.
www.waynebozefuneralhome.com