George Thomas Stroup Jr.

George was incredibly generous to his family and friends and thoughtful in nature. He was the first person to do anything for anyone! He graduated from Hollidaysburg High School in Pennsylvania in 1961. He then served his country in the US Navy as a Hospital Corpsman 3rd class at the Philadelphia Naval Base. George received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Lock Haven State College in 1967. He then went on to get his Masters in Education at Temple University. He was a special needs teacher for 33 years and 5 years as the cooperative education coordinator, all at Garden Spot High School. He retired in 2003. He was highly organized and had a work ethic like no other.

George’s passion was coaching. He coached high school tennis, softball and football and was a PIAA Track Official, but his favorite was high school boys and girls basketball. His two favorite achievements were bringing the Cocalico girls team to state tournament in 1997 and then guiding the Garden Spot “Blonde Bombers” boys’ team to the state tournament in the year 2000. In 2002, George was inducted into the Garden Spot Athletic Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) for his lifetime achievement in coaching in 2010.

He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where he served as chairman of the cemetery committee, communion assistant, greeter, and usher. He also was a member of the Ephrata Masonic Lodge #665 F&AM, the Eastern Lancaster County Education Association, the NEA and PSEA as a life member, 40 years with the TPA, a member of the Ephrata Rec. Center, and served as usher at the Ephrata Performing Arts Center. After moving to Chandler, AZ, he was a member of Risen Savior Lutheran Church and an active communion assistant. He enjoyed woodworking and was an avid life master bridge player (2006).

George and Dodie Bayer Stroup were married for 55 years. Together they raised two sons in PA and after retirement, moved to Chandler, Arizona in 2015. George enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He volunteered at their elementary school once a week. He frequently brought them McDonald’s lunches as a special treat. He loved going to their various athletic games and being involved with them in any way he could. He was also heavily involved in the Solera community affairs.

He leaves his beloved wife, Dodie; his son Trent and his wife Tina with their three children, Addie, Oliver and Vivianna; his son Derek and his wife, Wendy and their two children, Sadie and Deacon: his sister Judy and her husband John Johns and his nephew Johnathon Johns.

Due to the COVID pandemic, an in-person memorial service will be postponed until the summer of 2021 at Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Chandler, AZ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the CCHS Foundation or Stroup Kids for Kids Foundation.