Ernest (Loren) Stroup, Jr., a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force, passed away on August 16, 2022. Loren was born on September 7, 1941, to Ernest and Gladys Wagoner Stroup. After graduating from Webster Groves High School, Loren enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.
On December 30, 1961, he married Linda Dobbs in Tulsa, OK. While stationed overseas, their children, Annelisa and Ricky, were born in Mildenhall, England. Once they returned stateside, Loren's family would be relocated to multiple bases including Albuquerque, NM; Blytheville, AR; Grand Forks, ND; and Castle AFB in Atwater, CA.
During his years of service, Loren had the opportunity to spend time in several countries, including Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Guam, Philippine Islands, China, Japan, Germany, and France. Loren began his experience in the Air Force as a typewriter and safe repairman. He transitioned into the position of Boom Operator on KC135A aircraft. As boom operator, he safely and effectively transferred fuel from one military aircraft to another during flight. Loren retired from the Air Force in July 1979 with the rank of E6 Tech Sergeant.
He and his family then moved to Missouri to be closer to his parents. After retirement, Loren still found ways to keep busy. He was employed as an auto body instructor at the Pike-Lincoln Technical Center, security officer in OK, WV, and the Callaway Plant; welder; OTR owner/operator for Schnuck's, Rush Trucking, and Callaway Carriers; and custodian for the Wellsville-Middletown R-I School District.
Loren served in the Commemorative Air Force for four years. His duties as Master Sergeant included being part of a crew that flew a B-25 Mitchell bomber to various air shows across the United States. He was an active member of the VFW, American Legion, Masonic Lodge #246 and the Missouri Militia.
Loren is survived by his wife, Linda; daughter, Annelisa Goodman (fiancé, Steve Goshorn), Rush Hill, MO; son, Ricky (Michelle) Stroup, Wellsville, MO; grandchildren, Brianne (Jason) Beach, Brittany Bishop, Braden Stroup, and Brooke Stroup, all of Wellsville, and Rebekah Goodman, (fiancé Tony Collins), St. Louis; and great-grandchildren, Aiden, Alyssa, and Ashlyn Beach and Josie Bishop, all of Wellsville.
He is also survived by his sister, Pat Wadlow, Middletown; brother, Gary (Kathleen) Stroup, Jefferson City; sister-in-laws, Imogene (Bob) Clymore and Nancy Fisher of OK; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and longtime family friends, Moon & Patti Mullins of Merced, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Bertha Kincaid; brother-in-law, Bill Kincaid; and nephew, Tommy Kincaid.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 20, 2022, at Myers Funeral Home in Middletown, with Mike Brandenburg officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Fairmount Cemetery in Middletown. Myers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangments. Visitation will be from 5 – 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. There will be a Masonic Service at 7 p.m. Memorials may be given to the Wellsville VFW.
