Jim Stroupe: a hero in peace as well as in war

Jim Stroupe: a hero in peace as well as in war
by Steve Rasmussen in Vol. 17 / Iss. 17 on 11/16/2010

Jim Stroupe, the 86-year-old World War II, Korea and Vietnam veteran who died after being struck by a city bus, was a hero in peace as well as in war. In the spring and summer of 2008, when the battle between Asheville residents and developers over the Parkside condos was at its peak, this man — with a frail body but a strong voice, a sharp wit and a powerful spirit — came every single day, always wearing his veteran's cap, to the old magnolia tree in front of City Hall to help guard it from being cut down. He spoke out publicly against the county's sale of George W. Pack's deeded public parkland to private special interests as a violation of the democracy he had fought to defend. But he also kept a light heart, remarking to activist Clare Hanrahan on July 4, for example, "It's a nice place to sit. The air conditioning won't cost you anything."

When my wife, Lady Passion, and I lived for three months under the tree, Jim and his wife Francie brought us food, coffee and encouragement every day. At one point in the long ordeal, when I was beginning to think privately that our cause was hopelessly quixotic, he told me out of the blue. "Steve, I have a feeling you're going to win this." I asked him how he knew, and he repeated with certainty that he just had a strong feeling about it. Figuring you don't question the gut instincts of a guy who's survived three wars, I took heart from that day forward; and of course he proved right. When Pack's descendants won their lawsuit against the sale in superior court, he said to Lady Passion, with tears in his eyes, "All my buddies that died in all the wars I've fought did not die in vain because of what happened today."

Nor was Jim's death in vain, if it saves Asheville citizens' lives by calling attention to the apparently lax safety practices of the multinational transit corporation that holds the contract for our city's transit fleet.

— Steve RasmussenAsheville

Nellie James Stroupe

Nellie James Stroupe, 90, of Hamlet, died Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010, in Sandhills Regional Medical Center. She was born in Hoffman, a daughter of the late Carl Morris Stroupe and Atha F. Strickland. She held various office positions and worked as an assistant administrator with the State of Virginia until she retired.

Funeral services will be conducted graveside at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12, 2010, at Richmond County Memorial Park with Rev. John Pfisterer officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the services at Watson-King Funeral Home in Hamlet from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by two brothers, Carl Stroupe and William Stroupe; and two sisters, Dora Margaret Stroupe Boyette and Marie M. Broetzman.

Surviving are two nephews, Joe Boyette of Middleburg, Fla. and Bill Stroupe of Raleigh.

Watson-King Funeral Home of Hamlet is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.watson-kingfuneralhome.com. Read more: Richmond County Daily Journal - Nellie Stroupe

James David Stroupe

James David “Jim” Stroupe, 86, of Asheville, NC, passed away Friday, November 5, 2010 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.

He was born on November 12, 1923 in Cherryville, NC to the late Alfred Isaiah Stroupe and Beulah Dellinger Stroupe. Jim graduated from Cherryville High School. He longed to see the world so he joined the Merchant Marines followed by the US Marines during WWII, and then the US Army during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. While stationed in Germany he met his beloved wife, Gisela Dumeke and they remained married until her death in 2006. They had one cherished daughter, Melanie Stroupe of Phoenix Arizona, who survives. He retired from the military after 32 years to Puyallup, Washington before moving to Asheville in 2000. Jim is survived by his spouse, Francie Lanius, daughter, Melanie, special brother Charles Shirley (Marilyn) of Millersville, PA., and numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews whom he adored; special friends Patricia Keeter and family. He also leaves behind his spoiled pet companions, Bootsie, Miss Yow, and Fred Astaire.

In addition to his parents Jim was preceded in death his wife Gisela Duemke Stroupe; by sisters; Lillian Watts, Della Short, Irene Lineberry, Iva Rhyne, Mildred Winfield, Helen Graves and Velda Wetherill and brothers; brothers, Jack Stroupe, and Richard Stroupe.

A Memorial Service will be held at Stamey-Cherryville Funeral Home, Cherryville, NC, on Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 1:00 PM. Graveside services with military honors at Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery will follow. Jim's favorite charities were The Alzheimer's Association, the Humane Society and Veteran’s charities. The family is grateful to his caregivers at Mission Hospital, Care Partners Rehabilitation Hospital and the all the wonderful residents who made his life in Asheville such a joy.

Jim wrote in 2006 "I have lived a wonderful and full life. I had wonderful parents, traveled and lived in many countries, fought in three wars, had a wonderful marriage and am ending up my time with a beautiful lady, both inside and out. I have no complaints."

We all love you Uncle Jim from the bottom of our hearts and will miss you dearly.
Mike Stroupe

Lehman Stroup Obit

LEHMAN STROUP DIED OCT. 30, 2010 KINGS MOUNTAIN-
Mr. Lehman Stroup, 78, of 102 Carlin Drive, died on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010 at Hospice at Wendover. A native of Cleveland County, North Carolina, he was the son of the late David Augustus Stroup and the late Maud Augusta Epley Stroup. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Hughlon and Rueben Stroup and by two great-grandchildren, Zoe Bachman and Seth Van Dyke.

He was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church. He retired from Burlington Industries after 30 years of service and re-retired from Western Auto Distribution Center after 12 years of service. Mr. Stroup was an avid hunter and a noted gunsmith.Mr. Stroup is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Rachel White Stroup, of the home. He is also survived by a son, Dennis Stroup and his wife Doris of Kings Mountain; by three daughters, Belinda Lankford and husband Steve of Kernersville, Jane Galloway and husband Raymond of Kings Mountain, and Debbie Putnam and husband Roy, also of Kings Mountain. He is survived by two sisters, Doris Clemmer and husband Melvin of Gasto-nia, NC and Gay Jenkins and husband Lewis of Kings Mountain. Sixteen grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren also survive him.Visitation: The family will receive friends Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Cecil M. Burton Funeral HomeFuneral: Wednesday, 2 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church Officiated by: The Revs. Travis Northcutt and Jody GriffinBurial: Cleveland Memorial ParkFuneral home: Cecil M. Burton Funeral HomeMemorials: Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby NC 28150Online Condolences: www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com
Published in Shelby Star on November 1, 2010