Virgil Stroup of Blue Ridge, Texas passed away on January 4, 2020 at the age of 91. He was born on December 17, 1928 to John Warren and Valerie (Kemp) Stroup in Blue Ridge, Texas. Virgil married Freda Voncil Thompson on May 8, 1948 in Denton, Texas. He was of the Baptist faith.
Virgil is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Voncil Stroup, of Blue Ridge, Texas, sons, John Stroup and wife, LouAnn of Princeton, Texas, James Stroup of Blue Ridge, Texas, Joel Stroup of Stephenville, Texas, Jason Stroup and wife, Jennifer of Anna, Texas; grandchildren, Jarrod Stroup, Jana Walker and husband, Jeromy, Justin Stroup and wife, Jennie, Jacob Stroup and Joshua Stroup; great grandchildren, Mallory Walker, Madison Walker, Alexa Stroup, Ethan Stroup, Jackson Stroup, and Jameson Stroup; brother, Bill Stroup of Blue Ridge, Texas; sister, Betty Ann Vamvakas of Farmersville, Texas; and numerous other loving family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Valerie Stroup, brothers, Vernon Howell and Hermon Howell Stroup, John Stroup, Gene Stroup, and James Stroup; and sister, Mary Frances Medaris.
Virgil graduated from Blue Ridge High School in 1947 and married Voncil a year later. He was drafted into the Army in 1952 where he proudly served 17 months in Korea during the war. Upon returning home, he and Voncil started their family and lived in McKinney, Lewisville, and Bonham before building their current home in Blue Ridge in 1972.
Virgil believed strongly in being a servant-leader which is evident in his community involvement throughout his life. He was a member of the Blue Ridge ISD Board of Trustees, the Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and he was also a Volunteer Firefighter.
After 46 years at Lone Star Gas, Virgil retired and was finally able to devote more time to his passion for hunting, fishing, camping, and spending time with family. He and Voncil enjoyed traveling in their camper and spent many wonderful summers in Colorado. As grandchildren, and eventually great-grandchildren, came along they were included in the many family adventures and always enjoyed fishing with Granddaddy at the family lake.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas. Interment will follow at Snow Hill Cemetery in Farmersville, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation on Tuesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials may be given to Snow Hill Cemetery Association c/o Sandra Monk, 1744 Franklin Road, Sherman, Texas 75090.