Loran G Roop Jr.

Loran G. Roop Jr Obituary

Loran “Junior” Gayle Roop Jr, Dec. 20, 1934 to October 1, 2024

Loran “Junior” Gayle Roop Jr made his entrance into this world on December 20, 1934, in Jonesville, Virginia to parents Loran Roop Sr and Grace Pearl Stanley Roop. He was the third of seven children - six boys and one girl. Or as Junior would tell it - “There were six of us boys and each one had a sister!”

Junior’s family moved from Virginia to Southern Indiana when he was 14. His parents purchased over 100 acres of land outside of Campbellsburg, Indiana. All of the siblings worked hard and each were given a portion of the land as they matured. Junior started building a cabin on his portion of land. It would eventually become the first home for his own family. 

Across the road from Junior’s homestead lived another large family who had 6 boys and 1 girl. That young girl saw Junior walking down the road past her house and said to her friend, “You see that boy? I’m going to marry him one day.” Not long after that, Junior was riding a scooter on the road in front of her house. He later said that the scooter just took him up that long driveway to the neighboring house out of its own accord, he didn’t know how it got there. There he met Catherine “Cathy” Naomi Kimble and her father who were working outside their home. 

God knew exactly what he was doing, and He used Junior’s mother and sister Yvonne to urge him to start writing to Cathy. Junior had intended to join the Navy but instead joined the U.S. Army and was away from Indiana for the next few years. While stationed in post-war Korea, their love blossomed. 

On July 5, 1957, Junior and Cathy became husband and wife. Junior later teased about having to sell his Harley motorcycle to get married. The years that followed involved various stations from Alabama to Germany and then Oklahoma. As the saying goes, first comes love, second comes marriage, and then comes the baby carriage. From 1958 to 1978, Junior and Cathy welcomed 6 children to the world - Calvin, Daniel, Debra, Angela, Aaron and Lisa. Daniel was only here for a few days before he went on to Heaven but he was loved and missed throughout Junior’s life. 

Junior was a radio operator during his first enlistment in the Army. After his time was up, he went back to Indiana and worked various jobs until he decided to reenlist. After reenlistment, Junior became a photographer in the Army; this led to countless beautiful photos and him sharing his photography knowledge with Cathy who also became a shutterbug.

After his second stint in the Army, Junior settled back in Indiana always working hard and providing for his family. In the late 60s, he started building what would become a beloved home for all the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren that would follow. Junior eventually became a rural postal carrier with the USPS. In addition, he ran his own print business from “The Shop”, the repurposed cabin that he had built as a teenager. 

In 1976, Junior and Cathy dedicated their lives to Jesus together, and they passionately served God. They did everything they could to show those around them what an amazing Savior they had found, and they prayed for their children and family members to accept this same Gift of salvation.

A huge part of life for Junior was music, especially Bluegrass music. In his 40s, he began to learn to play instruments, starting with the guitar and quickly adding mandolin and singing to his abilities; mostly all self taught. It didn’t take long for opportunities to come for him to play in Bluegrass bands. Lester Smith, Herb Clinard, Herb O’Connor and then Fiddlin’ Ronnie Stewart & the Stewart Family. Junior enjoyed these times to the fullest, and that shy boy from Virginia truly shined on the stage. Junior’s beautiful voice, cherished by audiences, is a blessing we continue to enjoy through his recordings with the Stewart Family. 

In retirement, Junior found new hobbies and things to keep him busy. He used his woodworking skill and musical talents to craft the beautiful Roop mandolins, selling one to a local customer and making one for each of his children. Once Junior and Cathy’s final child left the nest, they enjoyed traveling across the country in their motorhome and spending time together, geocaching and taking photos. They took photos of countless graves and posted them on the Find-a-Grave website for others’ benefit. Junior later decided to add more musical instruments to his repertoire, and he started playing fiddle in his 80s. He never stopped learning. He and Cathy would also read and study their Bibles each morning together with a cup of coffee at hand. 

Junior passed away on October 1, 2024, with Cathy never leaving his side. He will be greatly missed by so many who love him. Junior was preceded in death by his parents, Loran and Grace Roop; infant son, Daniel Brian Roop; his siblings Norman, Roger and Yvonne.

Junior is survived by children Cal (Susan) Roop, Debra Tidwell Roop, Angela (Ron) Washington, Aaron (Shelley) Roop and Lisa (Todd) Compton, 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Junior is survived by his brothers Dwight, Denver and Gary. 

Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2:00PM at Weathers Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Hop Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be Saturday from 2-6PM and Sunday from 1PM-time of service.