Barbara Ann Cropper

Our beloved mother and grandmother, Barbara Ann Cropper, passed away peacefully on February 7, 2025, at the age of 87. She was born to Albert Vincent McEowen and Mary Lella McEowen in Vincennes, Indiana on February 7, 1938. Barbara spent most of her childhood in Phoenix where she developed her love for music and made many beloved life-long friends at West High School. She attended Phoenix Community College and was a member of the Kappa Delta-Nu Sorority before heading down to the University of Arizona where she studied Education and became a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. It was there she met the love of her life, Gary, whom she married in 1959. They spent 66 wonderful years together building a beautiful family, supporting each other’s professional passions, and making time for adventures and fun with their life-long friends. Their love story is a testament to being each other’s best friend and having an unwavering commitment to another. We believe she died from a broken heart having lost her Gary only 13 days prior.

Barbara was a gifted educator with a love and passion for the youngest students. She began her career teaching preschool and serving as Director at Christ Chapel Methodist Church. After 8 years there, she moved to St. Matthews Preschool where she served as the Founding Director as well as teacher. After successfully getting that program up and running, she became the Founding Director and Teacher at Dayspring United Methodist Preschool. In 1984, she moved to Casa Grande to support her husband in following his dream of owning his own Automobile Dealership and became co-owner of what eventually grew into Cropper’s Automotive Group. While there, Barbara continued with her passion in education by teaching kindergarten, working for Central Arizona College as a Child Development Associate Advisor, and developing and coordinating the Stanfield At-Risk Preschool Program. Like her husband, she believed whole-heartedly in getting involved in her community and did so by being involved with the Casa Grande’s Alliance of Business and Education, Education Partner’s Program, Pinal County Cities in Schools Board, Casa Grande Town Hall, Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce, and the Casa Grande Regional Medical Center Auxiliary. She also served on the High School Governing Board as member and president for many years. She was selected as a CGUHS Wall of Fame Recipient for her service to education within the community. Her passion for education and service also extended to higher education where she served as president and founding member of the College of Education Advisory Board at the University of Arizona, and the state level as a member of the Advisory Council to the Governor’s Office of Children. Barbara received the Distinguished Service Award from the U of A for all her years of service to bettering education and making a difference in the lives of students of all ages.

Barbara spent her retirement years in Chandler, staying involved in education through volunteering in the local schools, but mostly enjoying various life adventures with Gary and time with her children and grandchildren which were the absolute joys of her life. She taught us about unconditional love, the value of family and close friends, following your passions, and creating lasting memories through time shared together.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents Albert V. and Mary Lella McEowen, her brother William A. McEowen, and her sister Mary Elizabeth Woodall. She is survived by her four children, sons Mike Cropper, Steve Cropper, and Jon Cropper, and daughter, Caryn Cropper, her beloved son-in-law Warren Cole and daughter-in-law’s Maria Cropper and Martina Morehouse, grandchildren Logan, Kendall (Alec), Paige, Jackson, Jordan, Dani, Taylor, and Danielle, and great grandchildren Wylde and Nellie.

A joint celebration of life will be held for Gary and Barbara on March 23 from 12:00-4:00 at The Shalimar Golf Club in Tempe. All friends and family are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be sent to Hospice of the Valley. https://www.hov.org/donate/